A MAN of Albanian origin believed documents he bought purporting he was a Slovenian national were genuine, a court heard.

But it was only after his arrest for a public order incident, in Darlington, on August 6, that Nerim Isati claimed to have learned that the identity card and driving licence in his possession were fake.

Appearing at Durham Crown Court via video link from the city’s prison, Isati, who is also known as Nerim Trazhnjeva, was assisted by an Albanian interpreter.

He is accused of two counts of possessing identity documents, in the name of Nerim Isati, which he knew to be false, “with improper intent”.

Asked by Judge Christopher Prince if he believed them to be genuine documents, the interpreter spoke to the defendant and told the court: “Up to the moment he got arrested he believed the documents were proper and he only found out they were false after being arrested.”

Jennifer Coxon, for Isati, said: “The charges also say that the documents falsely stated he was a national of Slovenia when he is not.

“He accepts that the documents presented himself as Slovenian, when he’s not.”

Judge Prince adjourned the hearing for three weeks to enable defence advocates to have a full discussion in prison, with Isati, prior to him tending his pleas.

He was remanded in custody until October 28.