Reading Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Explore 89 verdicts at Reading Magistrates' Court (Reading). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

Abdul Mashud

Plying for hire

August 5, 2025

Sentence: Fined £399, £160 surcharge, £1,500 costs, and six penalty points on driving licence

On August 23, 2024, Abdul Mashud, a private hire driver licensed by Transport for London, illegally picked up undercover Reading Council Licensing officers at a BP Petrol Station on Richfield Avenue near the Reading Festival site. He agreed to transport them to Slough Train Station for £120 without a prior booking, which is against regulations as private hire drivers must only accept pre-booked fares to ensure passengers are covered by insurance.

Magistrates returned verdicts of guilty to both offences. This was the third successful prosecution of a driver operating illegally during Reading Festival 2024.

Sources: readingchronicle.co.uk

David Armah

Speeding

July 29, 2025

Sentence: £242 fine, three penalty points, £85 costs, and £57 surcharge

David Armah was driving a green Mini on the M4 near Reading on October 4, 2024, when he was caught by an automatic camera device exceeding the 50mph speed restriction between junctions 11 and 12, near Burghfield. The speeding incident occurred under a temporary speed limit imposed to manage motorway conditions.

Pleaded guilty to speeding, with the guilty plea taken into account in determining the fine.

Sources: readingchronicle.co.uk

Brendan Banham

Dangerous driving

July 17, 2025

Sentence: nine months imprisonment and a 24-month driving ban

Brendan Banham, 22, of Briff Lane, Hermitage, was involved in a hit and run incident in Reading, where he drove dangerously without the proper qualifications or insurance, leading to his arrest and sentencing.

Convicted for driving dangerously while disqualified and without third-party insurance in a hit and run incident.

Sources: readingchronicle.co.uk

Asghar Ali

Plying for hire

June 20, 2025

Sentence: £392 fine and eight penalty points on driving licence, plus £157 victim surcharge and £200 costs

On December 4, 2024, Council Licensing officers approached Asghar Ali’s vehicle on Friar Street in Reading town centre. He agreed to take them to an address in Wokingham for £35 without the required prior booking, despite his licence only allowing him to pick up customers in Bracknell. This action invalidated his insurance, putting passengers at risk in the event of an accident.

Pleaded guilty and received credit for early guilty plea and cooperation at the interview.

Sources: readingchronicle.co.uk

Azmat-Hussain Ali

Plying for hire

March 28, 2025

Sentence: £240 fine, six penalty points, £400 in prosecution costs, and £96 victim surcharge

Azmat-Hussain Ali, a London private hire driver licensed by Transport for London, was caught by undercover officers plying for hire on Randolph Road on August 25, 2024, without a prior booking. He agreed to take the officers to Denmark Street, Wokingham, for £15, which invalidated his insurance as he was not authorised to pick up passengers from the street.

Admitted offences at the roadside and during interview; guilty plea; no previous convictions.

Sources: readingchronicle.co.uk

Michael Butler

Shoplifting

March 25, 2025

Sentence: 42 weeks imprisonment

Michael Butler, 36, of no fixed abode, committed multiple thefts from supermarkets in Reading and assaulted someone during these incidents.

Jacek Kociolek

Drunk driving

February 25, 2025

Sentence: Disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £350

Jacek Kociolek, 57, of 34 Cromwell Drive, Slough, committed drunk driving in Slough on November 2, 2024, with 154 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, exceeding the prescribed limit.

Bradley Prothero

Using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour

February 25, 2025

Sentence: Fined £450 and ordered to pay costs

Bradley Prothero, 32, of 40 Charlton Walk, Windsor, used threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm, or distress towards PC Greenwood at Maidenhead Police Station on January 12, 2025.

Pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour.

Sources: readingchronicle.co.uk

Bradley Wilson

Drunk driving

February 25, 2025

Sentence: Disqualified from driving for 20 months and ordered to pay costs

Bradley Wilson, 28, of 269 Maidenhead Road, Windsor, was involved in drunk driving on Arthur Road on January 12, 2025, where his breath contained 76 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres, exceeding the prescribed limit.

Roger Budd

Racially or religiously aggravated intentional harassment

February 25, 2025

Sentence: Community order of 120 hours of unpaid work to be completed within 12 months and ordered to pay court costs

Roger Budd, 60, of 22 Hythe Park Road, Egham, Surrey, engaged in racially or religiously aggravated intentional harassment, alarm, or distress on Peascod Street, Windsor, on April 18, 2024.

Pleaded guilty to racially or religiously aggravated intentional harassment, alarm, or distress.

Sources: readingchronicle.co.uk

Steven O'brien

Drink driving

February 25, 2025

Sentence: Banned from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay a fine

Steven O'Brien, 43, of 21 Hoylake Close, Slough, committed drink driving on October 24, 2024, in Church Street, Burnham, with 56 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the prescribed limit.

Valentin Buftea

Failing to provide a specimen for analysis

February 25, 2025

Sentence: Community order of 170 hours of unpaid work to be completed within 12 months

Valentin Buftea, 46, of no fixed abode in Slough, failed to provide a specimen for analysis on October 10, 2024, in Maidenhead.

Ionit Rova

Shoplifting

February 17, 2025

Sentence: 10 weeks imprisonment

Ionit Rova stole more than £5,000 worth of chocolate and other products from nine Tesco stores and one Aldi shop between August 20, 2024, and January 18, 2025. The spree involved thefts in various locations including Daventry, Amersham, Princes Risborough, Faringdon, Warfield, Swaffham, Dereham, Leatherhead, Oakham, and Wokingham, with amounts ranging from £238.14 to £800 per incident.

Cohen Benn

Common assault by beating

September 11, 2024

Sentence: 100 hours of unpaid work, £150 in victim compensation, and £85 in court costs

On October 8, 2024, Cohen Benn engaged in a road rage incident on Bath Road, Slough, where he climbed up the side of a lorry’s cab and assaulted the victim, a man in his 70s, causing cuts to his face before driving away. The incident drew public attention and involved police investigation.

Convicted of common assault by beating; attended a voluntary interview with police and was charged.

Sources: readingchronicle.co.uk

Faizaan Mahmood

Driving while disqualified and without insurance

August 29, 2024

Sentence: 28 weeks imprisonment and disqualified from driving for 826 days

Faizaan Mahmood drove an Audi A6 on The Frithe in Slough on May 28, 2024, while disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence and without third-party insurance.

Alexander Lynn-Parsley

Theft

August 29, 2024

Sentence: £93 fine

Alexander Lynn-Parsley stole an Apple Home Pod valued at £199 from John Lewis in Reading on March 11, 2024.

Igors Naumenko

Drink driving

August 29, 2024

Sentence: Community order for 60 hours of unpaid work within 12 months and disqualified from driving for 26 months

Igors Naumenko drove an Audi A4 on December 16, 2023, with 108 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the prescribed limit.

Suliman Basharat

Threatening behaviour

August 29, 2024

Sentence: £461 fine

Suliman Basharat used threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour towards Shalawaz Qayum on May 19, 2024, in Reading, with intent to cause fear of or provoke unlawful violence.

Thomas Morrhouse

Drink driving

August 29, 2024

Sentence: Disqualified from driving for 12 months and £100 fine

Thomas Morrhouse drove a vehicle on Trooper Potts Way on April 20, 2024, with 57 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the prescribed limit.

Timothy Clarke

Theft

August 29, 2024

Sentence: Six weeks imprisonment and ordered to pay compensation of £45.75

Timothy Clarke stole meat valued at £45.75 from Sainsburys in Maidenhead on May 17, 2024.

Ryan Kinuthia

Dangerous driving

August 29, 2024

Sentence: Community order for 120 hours of unpaid work and disqualified from driving for 12 months

Ryan Kinuthia drove dangerously on London Road, Wokingham Road, Hamilton Road, Eastern Avenue, and Whiteknights Road in Reading on March 4, 2024.

Rebecca Tuck

Obstruction of the public

August 29, 2024

Sentence: Community order to complete a rehabilitation activity until May 27, 2026

Rebecca Tuck was on the wrong side of the bridge, obstructing the public in the exercise of their rights between May 4 and May 7, 2024, in Reading.

Harry Round

Drink driving

August 22, 2024

Sentence: Banned from driving for 36 months with a 36-week reduction period and fined £384

Harry Round drove in Broad Lane, Bracknell, on May 11, 2024, with 61 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the prescribed limit.

Jermaine Paul

Possession of a knife

August 22, 2024

Sentence: Imprisoned for 30 weeks

Jermaine Paul possessed a folding pocket knife with a blade exceeding 7.62 centimetres in Oxford in the Westgate on March 7, 2024.

Pleaded guilty to possessing a knife; sentenced due to flagrant disregard for court orders.

Sources: readingchronicle.co.uk

Joshua-Lee Curl

Possession of a knife

August 22, 2024

Sentence: Community order and rehabilitation activity requirement for 25 days

Joshua-Lee Curl possessed a Rambo knife in Wensley Road, Reading.

Landing Saye

Possession of cannabis

August 22, 2024

Sentence: Conditional discharge for 12 months and forfeiture and destruction of cannabis

Landing Saye possessed a quantity of cannabis in Slough on May 13, 2024.

Mohammed Khan

Drink driving

August 22, 2024

Sentence: Banned from driving for 36 months and fined £120

Mohammed Khan drove on the M4 motorway on May 11, 2024, with 74 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the prescribed limit.

Nicolae Vaduva

Drink driving

August 22, 2024

Sentence: Disqualified from driving for 17 months and fined £500

Nicolae Vaduva drove on Stratford Close, Slough, on May 11, 2024, with 61 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the prescribed limit.

Andrew Tatterton

Theft

August 22, 2024

Sentence: Community order until November 26, 2024, and banned from entering any Waitrose store in England and Wales for six months

Andrew Tatterton stole two bottles of vodka valued at £45 from Waitrose on May 26, 2024.

Chaitanya Porandla

Drink driving

August 22, 2024

Sentence: Disqualified from driving for 14 months and fined £623

Chaitanya Porandla drove on the M4 motorway at junction 10 on May 15, 2024, with 50 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the prescribed limit, and drove without a valid licence.

Anita Bali

Fraud by false representation

August 4, 2024

Sentence: Community order

Anita Bali and Paul Murphy used stolen bank cards, which were taken during a burglary in Slough, to make multiple purchases in various shops, including paying for a taxi and breakfast at Holiday Inn Express in Brands Hill. The cards were stolen earlier that day during the burglary.

Andrew Davison

Assault by beating

August 1, 2024

Sentence: Conditional discharge for a period of 12 months

Andrew Davison assaulted David Haldane by beating him on November 24, 2023, in Reading.

Daniel Richardson

Theft from a shop

August 1, 2024

Sentence: Community order to be completed by January 9, 2027, including non-residential drug rehabilitation for a year, banned from entering any Co-op store in Berkshire for a year until May 9, 2026, and a rehabilitation activity requirement for up to 20 days

Daniel Richardson committed eight counts of theft from a Co-op store in Reading. On March 27, 2025, he stole meat and laundry items valued at £108.40. On March 29, 2025, he stole laundry items worth £55.10 and meat and chocolate worth £98.95. On April 1, 2025, he stole meat and chocolate valued at £150. On April 3, 2025, he stole meat and chocolate worth £65.85. On April 6, 2025, he took meat worth £139.82. On April 11, 2025, he stole meat valued at £122.16. On April 13, 2025, he stole meat worth £103.25. All stolen goods belonged to Co-op.

Hannah Mir

Using a TV without a licence

August 1, 2024

Sentence: Fined £220

Hannah Mir used a TV without a licence on or about October 7, 2023.

Marian Sandu

Drink driving

August 1, 2024

Sentence: Community order to complete 250 hours of unpaid work and disqualified from driving for 26 weeks

Marian Sandu pleaded guilty to drink driving on Basingstoke Road, Reading, on April 24, 2024, after consuming alcohol that resulted in 101 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the prescribed limit.

Mark Soutter

Possession of class A drugs

August 1, 2024

Sentence: Fined £600

Mark Soutter possessed class A drugs, cocaine, at Loddon Valley Police Station, Rushey Way, Earley, on October 27, 2023. He also caused harassment, alarm or distress to Scott Bezzant by displaying threatening, abusive or insulting representations, and threatened Martin Whitehouse on October 26, 2023, at Reading Railway Station.

Pleaded guilty to possessing class A drugs and other offenses including harassment and threatening behaviour.

Sources: readingchronicle.co.uk

Martin Hoey

Using a TV without a licence

August 1, 2024

Sentence: Fined £220

Martin Hoey used a TV without a licence on October 15, 2023.

Shanice Freemantle

Drink driving

August 1, 2024

Sentence: Disqualified from driving for 18 weeks and fined £500

Shanice Freemantle pleaded guilty to drink driving on Chichester Road on March 29, 2024, after consuming alcohol that resulted in not less than 130 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, exceeding the prescribed limit.

Usman Munawar

Using a TV without a licence

August 1, 2024

Sentence: Fined £40

Usman Munawar used a TV without a licence between October 30, 2023, and November 14, 2023.

Marcin Dambrowski

Drink driving

July 29, 2024

Sentence: 150 hours of unpaid work and disqualified for three years

Marcin Dambrowski, 40, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to drink driving on January 13 this year in Slough, Briar Way, after consuming alcohol that resulted in 56 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the prescribed limit.

Louise Walters

Assault by beating and theft

July 29, 2024

Sentence: Community order including rehabilitation and £50 in compensation

Louise Walters, 46, of Ashwood Drive, Bath Road, Reading, pleaded guilty to assault by beating Hayley Morgan-Smith on March 25 in Newbury, and to stealing fabric softener, detergent and cheese of unknown value from CO-OP on the same day.

Leena Bassi

Theft

July 29, 2024

Sentence: £80 fine

Leena Bassi, 44, of Caversham Road, Reading, pleaded guilty to stealing food valued at £7 from Greggs on January 31 and stealing meat and drink from Sainsburys on February 13 this year.

Joseph Strough

Possession of cannabis

July 29, 2024

Sentence: Conditional discharge for six months and destruction of cannabis

Joseph Strough, 33, of Ladle House, Carcaixent Square, Newbury, pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis and cannabis resin on December 21 and 24 in Newbury.

Joshua Bunce

Using threatening or abusive words or behaviour and theft

July 29, 2024

Sentence: £40 fine

Joshua Bunce, 23, of Larchside Close, Spencers Wood, Reading, pleaded guilty to using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress in Reading on January 18 this year, and to stealing Easter eggs worth £6 from One Stop in Spences Wood on February 28.

Pleaded guilty to using threatening or abusive words or behaviour and stealing.

Sources: readingchronicle.co.uk

Gheorghita Levitchi

Drink driving

July 29, 2024

Sentence: Disqualified from driving for 17 months and £120 fine

Gheorghita Levitchi, 33, of Manchester Road, Reading, pleaded guilty to drink driving on April 24 this year on Queens Road, Reading, with 77 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath exceeding the prescribed limit.

Harry Georghiou

Theft

July 29, 2024

Sentence: £40 fine

Harry Georghiou, 35, of Oxford Road, Newbury, West Berkshire, pleaded guilty to stealing items worth £70.98 from Camp Hopson in Newbury on April 24 this year and stealing three bottles of alcohol from Sainsburys on February 15.

Chelsea Organ

Drink driving

July 29, 2024

Sentence: Disqualified from driving for 36 months reduced to 36 weeks and a £415 fine

Chelsea Organ, 33, of Hayes Drive, Three Mile Cross, Reading, pleaded guilty to drink driving in Dalley Road, Wokingham, on March 16 this year, after consuming alcohol that resulted in 61 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the prescribed limit.

Clara Northway

Drink driving

July 29, 2024

Sentence: 70 hours of unpaid work and disqualified for 17 months

Clara Northway, 26, of Wilshere Road, Reading, pleaded guilty to drink driving on April 20 this year in Lundy Lane, Reading, with 81 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath exceeding the prescribed limit, and to driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and without insurance.

Constantin Feraru

Failing to provide a specimen

July 21, 2024

Sentence: Disqualified from driving for 14 weeks and fined £200

On April 21 this year, in Maidenhead, Constantin Feraru failed to provide a specimen of breath for analysis when suspected of having driven a vehicle.