Italian sailor charged with exposing himself in Belfast

Giuseppe Dimarco, 42, allegedly targeted the victim at an undisclosed location last weekend.

He is set to remain in custody until police can approve his ship as a potential bail address.

Dimarco, of Via Paladino in Bagheria, Sicily, has been charged with exposing his genitals with the intention of causing alarm or distress.

The alleged offence was committed on Sunday while the boat is understood to have been docked and undergoing repairs in Belfast.

Appearing at the city’s Magistrates Court, Dimarco confirmed he understood the charge.

Police disclosed that the complainant recorded the suspected incident on her phone. Footage is due to be processed and sent to the Public Prosecution Service later this week.

With the defendant seeking release to return to the vessel, District Judge Steven Keown insisted further checks must be carried out.

“Is the captain responsible, reliable and happy to take him and keep him on the ship until this case is resolved?” he asked.

During the brief hearing Dimarco told the court he is due to travel to Lisbon on another boat this Saturday.

Speaking through an interpreter, he stated: “The ship is not leaving, it’s me who is leaving.”

Judge Keown adjourned proceedings until Friday and urged prosecutors to fast-track the case before the defendant’s proposed departure date.

“If he’s proposing to leave the county I would be grateful if this matter could be expedited,” he said.

“He will be produced to see if this can be sorted out before the weekend.. Albeit it’s not a minor offence.”