For a short time, Wellington's colourful street figure "Blanket Man" – aka Ben Hana – was missing.
But Hana was quickly found yesterday – AWOL from his home town – in Blenheim, after hitching a ride on the Bluebridge ferry to see a mate there.
His lawyer Maxine Dixon expressed concern in Wellington District Court yesterday when Hana did not show up for court.
At a hearing last month to determine his fitness to plead to seven charges of cannabis possession and breaching the liquor ban, two psychiatrists had been expected to say he was impaired, but changed their minds.
A fresh report was to be done and a determination to be made of what could happen to him. He could become a patient at a mental health facility.
A friend was sent by Ms Dixon to look at Blanket Man's usual haunts around Courtenay Place when he did not show up, but was unable to find him and he had not been seen since Wednesday, the court heard.
Judge Bruce Davidson issued a warrant for his arrest.
However, at the same time yesterday, Hana was appearing in Blenheim District Court after earlier being arrested on charges of disorderly behaviour and possession of cannabis.
He was freed on bail before authorities in Blenheim learnt of the warrant that had been issued in Wellington.
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