Man charged with thefts remanded in custody to establish his true identity
Bail was opposed due to the fact that police were unable to identify him and also that he had no address
An Ethiopian national has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court today after the court heard he had given one name yet fingerprint evidence suggested he was somebody else.
The defendant was identified on court papers as Dessie Yafiet (27) of no fixed abode who was charged with assaulting a female, disorderly behaviour, resisting and obstructing police and theft charges that were said to have occurred on June 9 and 10.
A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail.
He told the court that the defendant was alleged to have entered Tescos in Quayside and ordered cigarettes valued at £15.60.
The man was said to have given the assistant £10 and when told that was not enough took the money and the cigarettes and tried to leave.
When challenged the man claimed he had paid for the cigarettes and clenched his fists at staff.
The court heard that on June 9 police were called to Tescos again to a report of an aggressive male who was refusing to leave the premises.
They were told the man had been causing an annoyance and was being aggressive towards staff.
He had tried to reach across a counter to lift items and had taken a staff member's mobile phone and was challenged.
He refused to leave and when asked his name said it was Muhammad Ali.
When police asked for details he said he had no name or address.
The court heard that the man made lewd remarks towards a woman police officer and pushed her before struggling with police.
Bail was opposed due to the fact that police were unable to identify him and also that he had no address.
Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said that bail could be granted with suitable conditions.
District Judge Barney McElholm said that the court could not even be certain as to who the defendant was.
He refused bail and remanded the man in custody and said there was a need to establish the true identity.
He will appear again on July 4.