The following cases were heard at Reading Magistrates’ Court:

September 21

STEPHEN PAINTER, 44, of Duke Street, Reading, admitted stealing a purse in John Lewis in Reading on September 8, 2021. Fined £100 and must pay £119 in compensation.
LIAM CHARLTON, 38, of Royal Avenue, Calcot, admitted handling stolen goods, namely a Ford Transit, in Calcot on July 25, 2018. Must pay compensation of £1,928. 
PETER CRIPPS, 40, of Romsey Road, Tilehurst admitted possession of heroin at Tilehurst Station, Oxford Road, on April 2, 2021. Fined £69 and must pay £119 in court fees. 
MOHAMAD HAMZA, 19, of Liverpool Road, Reading, admitted stealing a Fiat Punto to the value of £1,200. Committed to prison for four weeks due to severity of the offence and degree of planning. Must pay a victim surcharge of £128. 
SABIAN NELSON, 33, of, London Road, Reading, admitted harassment without violence in Reading, namely attending a woman’s home address, followed her to the Co-op supermarket, called her 30 times from an unknown number, self-harmed in her presence, contacted her via Instagram, knocked on her door and was arrested on her road. Committed to prison for 12 weeks. Requirement to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work. Must pay court fees of £213. 

September 24

KEVIN ABONE, 24, of Spey Road, Reading, admitted possession of cannabis in Reading on January 27, 2021. Fined £100 and ordered to pay £119 in court fees. 
SAMANTHA STURGESS, 19, of Ardler Road, Caversham, Reading, admitted possession of a knife in a public place, namely Friar Street, Reading, on February 20, 2020. Conditional discharge for 18 months. Must pay £107 in court fees. 

A fundamental principle of justice is that it must be seen to be done. Open justice is acclaimed on a number of grounds: as a safeguard against judicial error, to assist the deterrent function of criminal trials and to permit the revelation of matters of interest.