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'Mystery' prisoner baffles court | 'Mystery' prisoner baffles court |
(10 minutes later) | |
A mystery man arrested two weeks ago for trespass and burglary has baffled police and immigration officials. | A mystery man arrested two weeks ago for trespass and burglary has baffled police and immigration officials. |
Magistrates were told the authorities have no idea of his name, age, nationality, or even his language. | Magistrates were told the authorities have no idea of his name, age, nationality, or even his language. |
The court at Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, was told he had broken into the same house three times, washed himself and cooked food, and stole a sewing kit. | The court at Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, was told he had broken into the same house three times, washed himself and cooked food, and stole a sewing kit. |
The man - referred to as the prisoner or defendant - was remanded in custody as no plea could be taken. | The man - referred to as the prisoner or defendant - was remanded in custody as no plea could be taken. |
Laura Carthew, prosecuting, said police had tried every means possible to identify or communicate with him. | Laura Carthew, prosecuting, said police had tried every means possible to identify or communicate with him. |
We don't have any information at all and we are unable to communicate in any way with the defendant before you Solicitor Stephen Lloyd | |
The man is alleged to have broken into one house in Tycroes, near Ammanford. | |
"A map of the world has been offered to the defendant with no response," she said. | "A map of the world has been offered to the defendant with no response," she said. |
She also said they presented him with flags from all the countries in the world, but this met with a similar response. | She also said they presented him with flags from all the countries in the world, but this met with a similar response. |
His fingerprints have been checked against the national database and the immigration services are also involved. | His fingerprints have been checked against the national database and the immigration services are also involved. |
He has briefly spoken once in a language thought to be Arabic, but when a translator was called they said they did not understand him and had no clue to the dialect he was speaking. | He has briefly spoken once in a language thought to be Arabic, but when a translator was called they said they did not understand him and had no clue to the dialect he was speaking. |
Representing him, Stephen Lloyd said: "We don't have any information at all and we are unable to communicate in any way with the defendant before you." | Representing him, Stephen Lloyd said: "We don't have any information at all and we are unable to communicate in any way with the defendant before you." |
Magistrates had accepted jurisdiction of the case but it will have to be transferred to the crown court as the man could not give his consent for a summary trial. | Magistrates had accepted jurisdiction of the case but it will have to be transferred to the crown court as the man could not give his consent for a summary trial. |
"He has to consent for a summary trial to take place," said Mr Lloyd. | "He has to consent for a summary trial to take place," said Mr Lloyd. |
"He can't communicate therefore the matter will have to proceed to the crown court. I don't think there is any other option." | "He can't communicate therefore the matter will have to proceed to the crown court. I don't think there is any other option." |
Magistrates remanded the man in custody until 2 November. | Magistrates remanded the man in custody until 2 November. |
They said he may as well appear via video link as he did not appear to know what was happening. | They said he may as well appear via video link as he did not appear to know what was happening. |
Both the defence and prosecution said efforts would continue in a bid to identify him. | Both the defence and prosecution said efforts would continue in a bid to identify him. |