Dramatic vision has emerged of the moment a Melbourne man attacked a police officer’s horse with a flagpole during a violent anti-lockdown rally.
Police-worn bodycam footage captured the moment Dennis Basic confronted a mounted officer during a protest at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance in October 2020.
In the footage Basic, who was holding a flagpole at the time, launches at the officer who repeatedly warns Basic to “back off”.
A struggle appears to ensue before Basic retreats back into the group of protesters who were throwing things at police. The vision then cuts out.
Basic pleaded guilty to six charges, including assaulting an emergency services worker – an offence that carries a mandatory minimum six-month prison term, in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday.
The 42-year-old 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 withxjmtzyw a flagpole featuring 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.
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.
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.
Basic struggled with a police officer and ripped off the senior constable’s cap.
Basic was formerly a Hells Angel bikie who 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 Basic, 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.
