A man accused of punching a police horse at an anti-lockdown rally in Sydney will fight the charges, a court has heard.

Kristian Pulkownik has pleaded not guilty to affray, animal cruelty, joining an unlawful assembly and failing to comply with a COVID-19 direction, his lawyer told the Downing Centre Local Court in an email. 

He plans to fight the four charges in a two-day trial to be heard in March next year. 

A police representative acknowledged there was “significant community and media interest” in the case, which might add to its complexity.

The Surry Hills man was arrested in July following a “Rally 4 Freedom” march in Sydney’s city where thousands defied coronavirus restrictions to attend. 

There will be six witnesses for the prosecution in Pulkownik’s case, the court heard.

“I can imagine there’s quite a lot of footage (as well),” the police representative said. 

Pulkownik is not expected to give evidence in his own defence. 

Police have accused Pulkownik of striking a police horse called Tobruk at the rally, which saw thousands amass at Sydney’s Town Hall despite COVID-19 restrictions. 

He remains on bail.

AAP

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