Protester admits assaulting two police officers and hitting horse in head, court hears

A former Hells Angels bikie has claimed he attacked police during two lockdown protests because he was scared.

Prosecutors described Dennis Basic as a "coward" for hitting an officer on horseback, causing the victim to almost fall to the ground.

Storming St Kilda Road to protest Melbourne's lockdowns in October 2020, Basic said he used a flagpole to bash a police horse out of fear.

READ MORE: RBA hikes interest rates for second month in a row

It was "an emotionally charged situation", his defence lawyers told the court.

"The protesters were confronted with the line of police," they said.

But a County Court judge wasn't buying Basic's excuses for assault and animal cruelty.

"It was an unprovoked attack on police officers doing their duty," judge Douglas Trapnell said.

He described the father-of-two as a "pest" for attending another protest months later in July 2021 while he was on bail for the first attack.

The 42-year-old threw a bollard at a policewoman on horseback on Swanston Street.

READ MORE: How much an interest rate rise will cost homeowners

"I felt angry," the victim said.

"My horse got a fright. It was a real risk to everyone's safety."

Basic's legal team said the officer's injuries weren't serious enough to stop her from working but the policewoman said she suffered head pain for two months after the assault.

Basic was identified in both incidents by his clothing and distinctive scar on his stomach.

When police raided Basic's home in Narre Warren, they said they found knives, batons, capsicum spray and illegal fireworks.

The former bikie claimed he needed the weapons for self-defence.

Basic has been told to expect mandatory jail time when he is sentenced later this month.