An anti-vax protestor is alleged to have struck two police horses during a heated demonstration in Newcastle City Centre.
Alexander Warren was part of a rally outside the city's Civic Centre in August last year when he is accused of hitting one horse, called Patronus, on the rear and slapping another, named Penelope, in the face. Prosecutors said the 34-year-old threatened to knock Patronus out before assaulting her and told Penelope's rider to "get that f*****g horse out of my face" before lashing out again.
Warren, of Daryngton House, in Hartington, London, appeared before Newcastle Magistrates' Court earlier this year to deny two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. Warren returned to the same court to face trial on Thursday.
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Omar Ahmad, prosecuting, said Warren attended a Covid-19 anti-vax protest outside the Civic Centre on August 29 last year and seemed to be one of the leaders as he was using a megaphone. Although "vocal", the rally was initially peaceful but quickly became more "animated, threatening and intimidating" as the 150-strong crowd tried to break a police line and come out of their designated protest area onto Percy Street.
Mr Ahmad said: "The defendant and the crowd started to move away from the designated area of protest and went past police horses. The defendant attempted to move past one police horse and, in doing so and without provocation, he struck Patronus and Penelope and, in doing so, caused them unnecessary suffering."
Giving evidence, Sgt Coates, who was riding Patronus, told the court he was at the top of Northumberland Street with three other mounted officers when the protest turned "particularly threatening" and they made their way over to the green in front of the Civic Centre, opposite Percy Street.
He described Warren having a megaphone and goading the crowd to follow him to try and break the police line. Sgt Coates continued: "The defendant was trying to get past me and Patronus. When he walked past he threatened to knock Patronus out. He then assaulted the horse. He hit Patronus's back end, to the left hand side, with his flat hand."
Sgt Coates said Patronus reacted by being startled and anxious and he had to concentrate on keeping her stationary. When asked what he thought Warren's intention was by hitting the horse, the officer said: "I think he intended for the horse to bolt with me on it."
Also giving evidence PC Adair, the rider of Penelope, who Warren allegedly targeted next. She told the court that she first noticed Warren when he was inciting the crowd to break the line of police officers, who were stood behind her. PC Adair added: "I bent down and said to the defendant that he couldn't go that way. The horse turned her head at the same time and the defendant got more agitated and shoved the horses face and said "Get your f****** horse away from me".
"He didn't stop, he carried on walking. At that point, [another officer] on a horse called Pluto got hold of the defendant's rucksack to try and get him detained." The court heard that a crowd then encircled Pluto and Warren managed to wriggle free and flee. He was, however, later arrested.
Asked how Penelope reacted when allegedly struck by Warren, PC Adair said: "She was startled and taken aback. When you raise your hand quickly at a horse, it doesn't matter how much training you give them, they will always get a fright."
Warren admits making contact with Patronus but claims it was a push and it didn't cause the horse any suffering or distress. He denies making any contact with Penelope. The trial continues.
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