Romanian man asks to be deported after remanded at Derry Magistrate's Court

A Romanian national asked could he be deported after he was remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court on exposure charges.

Marciel Sotir (57) of no fixed abode appeared charged with two counts of exposure in Quayside Shopping Centre in Derry on July 1.

A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail. 

The court heard that around 5.10pm the defendant entered the shopping centre wearing no footwear and tried to urinate in a store exposing himself.

A security officer intervened and escorted Sotir from the premises and he was then alleged to have urinated against metal shutters in full view of members of the public including children. 

When police arrived they spoke to security officers and the defendant and it was discovered he was on bail for offences in Belfast and was to reside there and not touch alcohol. 

Sotir was said to have refused to provide a breath sample and a search of his property revealed a nearly empty vodka bottle. 

At interview the defendant said he entered the shopping centre to use the toilet but had been prevented from doing so and said he went behind a car to urinate. 

A police officer opposed bail due to the lack of address and said CCTV still had to be obtained. 

The court heard that Sotir was also subject to immigration proceedings.

Defence counsel Brendan Kearney said he was applying for bail to an address approved by police. 

When District Judge Barney McElholm indicated he was refusing bail the defendant, who had been using an interpreter throughout the proceedings, asked coukd he be deported. 

Judge McElholm said that he did not have the power to deport him and refused bail. 

Sotir was remanded in custody to appear again on July 18.