An asylum seeker accused of stealing swords from a charity shop in Belfast was allegedly discovered chanting about beheading people, a court has been told.
Police also claimed graffiti on the walls at 32-year-old Abdallah Maiteh’s accommodation referred to cutting off thieves hands.
Refusing to release him on bail on Friday, a judge ordered that he must undergo a mental health assessment in prison.
Maiteh, with a hostel address at Ligoniel Road in the city, appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court charged with one count of theft.
The Jordanian national is accused of stealing two katana-type swords from a charity shop on the Dublin Road on Tuesday.
Golf clubs, a mobile phone, rucksack and scissors were also taken as part of the alleged theft of items valued at £70.
Police investigating the incident found words written in Arabic on a wall in the defendant’s room, the court was told.
One of the messages related to cutting off the hands of thieves.
A PSNI officer also disclosed: “He had written other graffiti, (placed) the swords beneath it and was allegedly chanting about beheading people.”
Maiteh denies the theft charge, claiming he had permission to take all of the items from the shop where he worked as a volunteer.
Defence lawyer Garrett Greene said the swords were kept as souvenirs.
Mr Greene argued that Maiteh had been at prayer and posed no threat to anyone else at the accommodation.
“He accepts that he had written the graffiti but states that it was passages from the Quran,” the solicitor added.
District Judge Steven Keown was told Maiteh arrived in Northern Ireland two months ago.
Bail was denied.
Remanding Maiteh in custody and directing a mental health assessment, Mr Keown said: “The concern is not only does he (allegedly) feel that anybody who is a thief should have their hand cut off by a sword, but he then brings a sword home.”