Anti-Vaxxer Slapped Police Horse During Newcastle Protest

An anti-vaxxer slapped a police horse during a protest in Newcastle City Centre.

Alexander Warren, 34, of Darygnton House, Hartington Road, London SW8, denied two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. He was convicted of one offence following a two-day trial at Newcastle Magistrates' Court on Friday, 1st July 2022.

Causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal is an offence under section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2004. The maximum penalty is 5 years' custody and/or an unlimited fine on conviction on indictment; 12 months' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction.

The court heard that Warren was present during an anti-vax protest outside Newcastle Civic Centre on Sunday, 29th August 2021.

Ohmar Ahmad, prosecuting, said: "The Crown's case is that the defendant attended the protest in Newcastle last year and during this protest took leadership and used a megaphone to direct protesters away from the allocated area."

The 150-strong crowd were initially peaceful, but as time progressed they became more "animated, threatening and intimidating".

Mr Ahmad added: "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 (Police Horses) Patronus and Penelope and, in doing so, caused them unnecessary suffering."

Sergeant Stuart Coates, who leads Northumbria Police's mounted section, was riding Patronus on that day.

Giving evidence, Sergeant Coates said: "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."

Sergeant Coates described how the assault had startled Patronus and he had to concentrate on keeping the animal stationary.

When asked why he thought Warren had struck Patronus, Sergeant Coates responded: "I think he intended for the horse to bolt with me on it."

The court also heard from PC Lucy Adair, who was riding Penelope on that day. She described how Warren was inciting the protestors to break through the line of police officers.

PC Adair said: "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 horse's face and said "Get your fucking 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 officer described how the crowd encircled Pluto and his rider, which allowed Warren the opportunity to wriggle free.

Asked how Penelope reacted to being struck by Warren, PC Adair replied: "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 conceded that he had made contact with Patronus, but claims it was a defensive push that didn't cause the animal any suffering or distress. He denied making any contact with Penelope.

Giving evidence, Warren described how Patronus had "pecked" his head several times, which left him shocked and he viewed as an "attack" on him.

Warren said: "It was quite a shocking incident because the horse was pecking my head. I was being attacked and felt aggrieved and wanted to get out of the situation. Every time I tried to get out of the situation he [Sergeant Coates] was making the horse step one side in front of me.

"I stepped to my right and pushed the horse's hip and bum area to get the horse and officer away from me to get past the horse."

Warren estimated that on a scale of 1-to-10, the force of his push had been a 4.

In closing Sophie Land, acting for Warren, said: "We have accepted that my client travelled up from London to Newcastle to attend the protest. He gave evidence that he was not the organiser of the protest and didn't know who they were.

"He did not know where the designated protest area was. My client describes that things were starting to get more heated and he felt that this was not safe and wanted to get people to an open area where they could gather, so his actions walking past the police horses were reasonable."

She continued: "As a former boxer who would understand the force used on various punches, he would have the best understanding of the force used. He was the person who agreed there was some force was used but not at the level that would cause the horse to suffer."

Having considered the weight of evidence District Judge Paul Currer convicted Warren of the offence in relation to Patronus and acquitted him of the offence in relation to Penelope.

DJ Currer rejected Warren's claim that he had pushed Patronus defensively, adding that he was sure the strike caused the animal pain and distress. 

He said: "I am sure that the defendant was acting as a leader in this protest. It is clear from his behaviour in the CCTV footage he led others from the council chamber and across Barras Bridge and did this in an attempt to break police lines.

"I am sure that in anger and frustration he lashed out at police horse Patronus. I am sure it was a full-force blow."

The Judge ordered a pre-sentence report.

Warren was granted unconditional bail until his sentencing hearing at the same court on Friday, 12th August 2022.