An arrest warrant has been issued for Melbourne comedian Greg Fleet after he failed to appear in court on charges of theft.

Mr Fleet was charged for stealing from friend and journalist Wendy Squires to fund a heroin addiction.

Mr Fleet was due in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday. His legal team had applied for a diversion order, which would have required Mr Fleet to enter a diversion program.

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If the magistrate accepted the order Mr Fleet would have avoided a criminal record.

In a Facebook post, Mr Fleet claimed his non-appearance was due to a mix-up of dates.

In October Mr Fleet pleaded guilty to stealing jewellery worth $2800 from Ms Squires, a former housemate, while she was on a working holiday.

He sold the diamond ring and gold bracelet for $200, which went towards buying heroin.

Mr Fleet, who has appeared in many Australian films and shows including Neighbours and Full Frontal, confessed to the crime in February,

Ms Squires had reported the theft to police in November 2014.

Mr Fleet had been the subject of a piece written by Ms Squires for The Age a few months before the crime took place.

“I’ve never had to resort to crime – although I have done things I wish I hadn’t – but it stopped me falling short of becoming a complete monster,” he said in the article.