John Russell Black — who has adopted the moniker "Little John" — appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday afternoon where he pleaded guilty to a charge of arson.
The 58-year-old’s counsel, Andrew Dawson, said his client was "a man of some notoriety locally" after making headlines for his reclusive lifestyle, living in a cave in Outram Glen.
Court documents showed the defendant had not always lived outdoors.
In 2020, Black moved into the stand-alone hut, situated on the edge of some bush on the victims’ property.
There was no electricity or running water.
"The defendant is transient in nature with no fixed abode and was happy to live in the hut in isolation from others while assisting around the property as required," a police summary said.
In March 2021, Black refused to be vaccinated against Covid, which led to tension between him and the victims.
Eight months later, they trespassed him from the property.
In October 2022, the victims wrote a letter to Black requesting he remove his belongings within a month.
The court heard the defendant became angry, believing the hut would be rented to others.
In the afternoon of October 28, Black walked to his former dwelling, sneaking around the back of the victims’ property to avoid detection.
After removing his belongings, he tipped over a kerosene lamp, removed the wick and placed it on the bed.
He then dipped some fabric in the kerosene and left it at the door before setting it alight.
When the victims saw the hut ablaze, firefighters were called, but they were unable to save the structure.
"The hut burnt to the ground, causing loss of the victims’ future use and enjoyment of the facility," police said.
Black admitted what he had done and explained he had spent time and effort improving the hut.
He was upset others might see the benefit of his work.
There was a "very complicated background" to the crime which would be outlined in detail at sentencing in May, Mr Dawson said.
Black was granted bail until then.
Judge Michael Turner called for a probation report on the defendant, which would also assess the possibility of him completing an electronically monitored sentence.
Whether Black would be able to find a viable address for such a sentence remained to be seen, Mr Dawson said.
