A WARRANT for arrest has been issued for an asylum seeker living on board the Bibby Stockholm after he failed to appear in court.

Ahmed Haffa, aged 24, of the Bibby Stockholm barge at Portland Port was due to appear in court at 10am today, charged with assault by beating, common assault and theft from a shop.

The charges refer to an alleged incident at St Mary Street in Weymouth on Wednesday, December 13, 2023.

He is also charged with stealing a jacket worth £59.99 from TK Maxx on New Bond Street on the same day.

District Judge MC Austin said: "There is no reason he couldn't be in Weymouth by 12pm.

"He was charged and bailed to appear in court at 10am today.

"He was told the date and he had time to get here from the Bibby Stockholm."

A warrant was issued for his arrest for failing to attend court.

As of 3pm today, Haffa had still had not appeared in court.