'Just a screw-up over dates,' says Greg Fleet

An arrest warrant was issued for Australian comedian Greg Fleet this morning after he failed to show up in court.

He had been due in front of Melbourne magistrates, having admitted stealing from a friend to feed his heroin addiction.

However, Fleet later said that ‘a simple screw up of date’ was to blame for his non-appearance.

The hearing was his application for a diversion order, a programme for first-time offenders to avoid a criminal record.

Fleet posted on Facebook: ‘You may have seen some stuff about my court case in the news. Just wanting to reassure people that it was a simple screw up of dates.’

The 53-year-old added that he had been in touch with the court and police to sort it out,and he reassured his fans that he was ‘still clean’ and ‘working hard to remain that way and move forward.’

In October, Fleet admitted stealing a diamond ring and gold bracelet worth £1,350 from journalist and flatmate Wendy Squire’s jewellery box while she was on holiday. He sold the items for £100 to fund his addiction.

Published: 1 Dec 2015