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HASTINGS - Cameron Dormer, the man who made headlines when he allegedly faked his own disappearance, had his case transferred to Wellington yesterday.
But the judge in Hastings District Court made it clear that although the case had generated media interest, it was small-time in the criminal world.
"The sooner it is gotten rid of, whether it is in Hastings or Wellington, the better," Judge Geoff Rea said.
Dormer's lawyer, Douglas Ewen, made a written application for the defended hearing to be moved. Yesterday in court, police agreed to the transfer, but reserved the right to apply for it to come back if the defence changed its views on the witnesses being called.
Dormer, 25, has denied charges of wasting police time and possessing cannabis and a pipe. The case was transferred to Wellington District Court for a status hearing on January 15.
A huge search was mounted for Dormer after he left his Hastings home on September 29 to get takeaways and never returned. He sent a text message to his partner Clinton Hughes that afternoon, saying he was being followed by another car - and then disappeared.
His burnt-out car was found hours later, more than 300km away at Katikati.
He was found in Wellington motel on October 2, taken into custody and later released on bail.
The police bill for the search totalled $10,500.
- NZPA
