A 43-year-old man has pleaded guilty to a series of burglary and attempted burglary offences at three restaurants in Derry.

John Patrick McGilloway, whose address was given as Maghaberry Prison, appeared at Derry Crown Court on Wednesday.

He admitted entering the Ricebowl on the Racecourse Road as a trespasser with intent to steal on a date between 1 February and 1 April 2023.

McGilloway also pleaded guilty to the attempted burglary of the Pickled Duck restaurant on the Greenhaw Road on 19 April 2023, and to the attempted burglary of Chilli's on the Strand Road between 6 May and 9 May 2023.

Defence counsel Stephen Mooney told the court that the defendant had been in custody for a very long time.

A pre-sentence report was ordered for 16 September. McGilloway will be sentenced on 6 October.