Claudiu Szabo, 31, from Romania, had been ordered to leave after he was convicted of numerous shoplifting and drug offences in London.

He was, however, arrested again – in Northern Ireland – on Wednesday, the Belfast Telegraph reports.

At Belfast District Court, he pleaded guilty to illegal entry to the UK.

Szabo’s barrister told the court he had first been in Dublin looking for work.

“He wasn’t able to get work and was travelling on to Scotland,” she said.

“He knew he wasn’t allowed in the UK, but didn’t realise Scotland was part of it.”

District Judge Paul Copeland said: “A few people in Scotland may well agree with him – however, I will say nothing more about that.”

He will be sentenced on 1 August.