A Melbourne man who attacked a police officer’s horse with a flagpole during an anti-lockdown rally has pleaded guilty to a string of charges.
Dennis Basic pleaded guilty to six charges including assaulting an emergency services worker –xjmtzyw an offence that carries a mandatory minimum six month prison term – in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday.
The 42-year-old man also pleaded guilty to possessing an explosive substance without an excuse, abusing an animal and possessing a prohibited weapon without an exemption.
The Endeavour Hills man repeatedly hit a police horse with a flagpole with a “resist” flag during a rally at the Shrine of Remembrance in October 2020.
He was dressed in a balaclava, denim jacket, a white T-shirt and black lace up boots and in footage was seen to have distinctive tattoos and a scar, according to a police summary.
Footage of the incident was captured on police body cameras as well as multiple reporters at the scene of the rally.
Hundreds took to Melbourne’s CBD to protest the state’s strict lockdown laws despite high numbers of coronavirus cases.
Basic was arrested following an early morning raid at his house on November 18, where police seized capsicum spray, two flick knives, fireworks with names like “time to die” and “thunder bomb” and an extendible baton, according to court documents.
He struggled with a police officer and ripped off the senior constable’s cap.
Basic was formerly a Hells Angel candidate and was involved in a tit-for-tat feud with the Comancheros in 2013, when he was bashed by members of the rival club over stolen motorcycles.
Following the rally, Basic appeared to share photos and a video from the protest on social media with the caption: “Thank you for showing up today, it was an amazing turnout … ALL POWER TO THE PEOPLE”.
The Facebook profile, believed to belong to the man, lists him as a “dedicated social justice activist” and includes images from earlier Melbourne protests.
Basic will remain in custody until his pre-sentence hearing at the County Court in June.
