A police officer told Derry Magistrate's Court that the Home Office and the Immigration Agency were seeking to have the two men returned to China.

Liang He (29), of no fixed abode admitted charges of fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud, obstructing a police office and possessing credit cards for use in a fraud. He committed the offences at the Laser Electrical Store on April 23.

Sun Min Wang, (28), also of no fixed abode, denies conspiracy to commit fraud and possessing credit cards for use in a fraud.

When they bail application failed, the defendant Wang asked Resident Magistrate, Barney McElholm, via an interpreter - "Why you refuse me? What have I done. What sort of crime have I committed".

Both defendants appeared in court on video link from Maghaberry Prison. The investigating police officer told the court that he was opposed to them being granted bail.

"Both are failed asylum seekers who have absconded previously and failed to adhere to bail conditions set by the Home Office. As a result of this Immigration Agency officials have issued Home Office detention warrants regarding their asylum applications.

"Sun Min Wang entered the U.K. in 2000 and subsequently disappeared failing to adhere to Home Office bail conditions pending his asylum application. Liang He entered the U.K. in 2000 and provided false details. He made a renewed asylum application under the name Zhang

Liang in 2003 and again disappeared", the officer said.
Refusing bail, the Magistrate said both defendants "have a history of not turning up and of disappearing for years into the underground and as well as that these two men are in the country illegally".
The defendants were remanded in continuing custody until June 12.