Italian student appears in Derry court on child sexual assault charges

A 20-year-old Italian exchange student has appeared before a Derry court charged with sexually assaulting a child.

Ivan Zali, with an address at Asylum Road, appeared before Derry Magistrates Court to face five charges of sexually touching a child under 13 and three further charges of sexual assault.

The alleged offences are said to have occurred on 17 August this year.

The court heard Zali was working in a youth club in the city and was here as a resident foreign exchange student.

He has no previous criminal record.

Zali's parents, sister and his brother, who is a member of the Italian Armed Forces, were present in court.

Zali claimshe did have contact with children but the touching was not sexual but 'horseplay'.

A defence solicitor said Zali had no income as he could not work with youths due to the charge and was a full-time student in Italy.

Zali was granted bail of £750 with a surety of £1,000.

Bail conditions were varied to allow him to leave Northern Ireland and he was allowed to have his passport and National Identity Card back.

Zali was banned from any contact with the injured party or any witnesses and must not have any unsupervised contact with children under 16.

He must also reside at his home address in Italy and must attend court in Northern Ireland when directed.

The case will be revisited on December 10.