A MAN of Albanian origin has admitted buying documentation purporting he was a Slovenian national, knowing they were not genuine.

Nerim Trezhnjea produced the false driver’s licence and identity card, in the name Nerim Isati, when stopped by police in a vehicle in Polam Road, Darlington, on August 3.

Appearing at Durham Crown Court via video link from the nearby prison, he admitted two counts of possessing an identity document with false intent.

Speaking via an Albanian interpreter he confirmed his plea s were made on the basis he paid 10,000 euros for the documents, knowing they were not genuine, having been asked to provide a false name by the seller.

Paul Abrahams, prosecuting, said the defendant is known to the authorities in France, where he has a record of offences including theft, aggravated theft and possessing a knife.

But Mr Abrahams said immigration officials still want to view the contents of a mobile phone seized from Trezhnjea on arrest but need to produce it to him in custody as it can only be accessed via iris recognition.

Judge Christopher Prince adjourned sentence for four weeks to allow that to be done and for a pre-sentence report to be prepared by the Probation Service.

The 24-year-old defendant will remain in custody until the sentencing hearing, on November 29.