Bibby Stockholm migrant found guilty of assault and shoplifting
A warrant's been issued for 24 year old's Ahmed Haffa's arrest
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a resident of the Bibby Stockholm migrant barge, after he failed to attend court for assault and shoplifting charges.
Ahmed Haffa was due to appear at Poole Magistrates' Court yesterday (Thursday 29th February), accused of stealing a jacket worth £59.99 from TK Maxx in Weymouth.
The 24-year-old was also set to stand trial for common assault and assault by beating and was found guilty of the three charges in his absence by the district judge Orla Austin.
Court documents showed the offences were committed on December 13th 2023 by Haffa, who had pleaded not guilty to all three counts on January 18th.
The court register stated: "Warrant for arrest without bail - Grounds for warrant: no appearance in answer to bail."
In a statement, Dorset Police said:
"On Thursday February 29th 2024 a warrant was issued by Poole Magistrates' Court in relation to a defendant, aged 24 and of Portland, who had failed to attend court in relation to allegations of theft and assault, and was subsequently convicted in his absence.
"The charges related to incidents in Weymouth town centre on Wednesday December 13th 2023.
"Officers are currently carrying out enquiries to locate the defendant."
The Home Office has been approached for confirmation of Haffa's status as an asylum seeker and how his conviction will affect his claim to remain in the country.
Dorset Police has also been asked for details about what action is being taken to detain Haffa following the issuing of the warrant for his arrest.