Christopher Barry: Alleged attack on police officer, horse at peak hour
A man who allegedly attacked a female officer and her police horse during peak-hour traffic in Sydney’s CBD will remain behind bars. However, his defence told a court the horse stood on him first.
Central Sydney
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A man who allegedly attacked a female officer and her police horse – kneeing and slapping the animal – during peak-hour traffic in Sydney’s CBD will remain behind bars.
However, his defence told a court that the horse stood on him first.
Christopher John Barry, 38, from Darlinghurst, allegedly tried to flee the scene following the shocking incident on Wednesday about 5.45pm.
Police allege he kneed and slapped the police horse named Ras and also assaulted the officer riding the horse near the intersection of Pitt and Park streets.
Following a short foot chase, the man allegedly spat at two male constables before he was arrested.
He has been charged with 10 offences including commit an act of cruelty upon an animal and three counts of assault police officer in execution of duty.
He appeared at Central Local Court on Thursday via audiovisual link and applied for bail which was refused.
The female officer suffered an injury to her upper lip in the incident, the court was told.
The prosecutor alleged that Mr Barry was a violent man with a criminal history in multiple states.
“He thrust his knee into the torso of the police horse with such force that the senior constable riding the horse could feel it,” the prosecutor said.
She said he also jumped onto the bonnet of a stationary vehicle on Pitt St before his arrest.
However, his defence argued that the horse stood on him first and he was simply reacting to the incident.
“Unfortunately the horse stood on his foot and caused him a great deal of pain and it was in the throes of that happening that the rest of his behaviour occurred.”
His defence said he suffered from chronic health problems including to his feet.
Magistrate Margaret Quinn labelled his alleged offending as “an extremely unpleasant set of facts” before refusing his bail.
He has been charged with two counts of behave in offensive manner in/near public place, three counts of assault police officer in execution of duty, resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty, commit an act of cruelty upon an animal, destroy or damage property, wilfully prevent free passage of person/vehicle, and escape lawful custody.
Police also allege when he was placed in the police van, he allegedly kicked the door and damaged the vehicle.
His matter has been adjourned until December 19. No plea was entered.