These cases were heard at Reading and Slough Magistrates’ Court:

March 21:

Haaris Ali Faisal, 20, of East Avenue, Hayes. Assault by beating in Ascot. Discharged conditionally for 24 months. Compensation £100. Costs £105.

Peter Liam Smith, 31, of Orchard Estate, Twyford. Driving over the drink-drive limit. Disqualified from driving for 39 months. Fined £120. Costs £30.

March 25:

Adam Sydney John Hook, 37, of Ditchfield Lane, Finchampstead. Original offence in respect of which a community order was made. Community order made. Costs £60. Original offence in respect of which a community order was made. Community order made.

Luke Stamper, 24, of Horseneil Lane, Bracknell. Original offence in respect of which a community order was made. Community order made. Original offence in respect of which a community order was made. Community order made.

Nigel Gibson, 57, of Newtown, Hungerford. In Bracknell, used threatening or abusive words, behaviour or disorderly behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. Fined £185. Assault by beating in Bracknell. Fined £370. Compensation £200. Costs £30.

Leon Peter John D’Angelo, 18, of Reeds Hill, Bracknell. Possession of a controlled drug of Class B (cannabis). Discharged conditionally for 12 months. Costs £105.

March 26:

Richard Neil Fletcher, 57, of Birch Hill, Bracknell. Assault by beating. Imprisoned for 10 weeks, suspended for 18 months. Restraining order made. Costs £735. Assault by beating. Imprisoned for 10 weeks consecutive, suspended for 18 months.

Dean Robert Aylott, 30, of no fixed abode. Criminal damage to property valued under £5,000 in Bracknell. Imprisoned for four weeks consecutive. Costs £115. Assault by beating in Bracknell. Imprisoned for six weeks consecutive. Restraining order made. Original offence in respect of which a suspended sentence order was made. Imprisoned for four months, suspended for 18 months. Original offence in respect of which a conditional discharge was made. Fined £100.

Fabio Rizzo, 35, of Headington Drive, Wokingham. Driving over the speed limit. Driving record endorsed with six penalty points. Fined £440. Costs £129.

Joanna Koutalides, 23, of Grenville Place, Bracknell. Assault by beating. Community order made. Compensation £25. Costs £170. Assault by beating. Community order made. Compensation £75. Failure to surrender to custody at court. Community order made.

A fundamental principle of justice is that it must be seen to be done. It is established in the UK that court cases should be heard in public. This principle of open justice is acclaimed on a number of grounds: as a safeguard against judicial error and as a deterrent to perjury.