John Black is accused of setting fire to a hut. Photo: ODT Files
John Russell Black — who goes by "Little John" — was scheduled to appear in the Dunedin District Court yesterday morning but contacted officials to say he could not attend.
According to court documents the 58-year-old set fire to a "hut" on October 28 which belonged to a Dunedin couple.
Black made headlines when he spoke out about his solitary lifestyle dwelling in a cave in Outram Glen.
He told Stuff he lived on food donations, did the odd cash job, spent less than $500 a year and tended to any dental issues himself using pliers and sandpaper.
Judge Dominic Flatley excused the defendant’s non-appearance and put the hearing off until January.
