A man is to stand trial over allegations he repeatedly struck a pig with a quad bike and knocked it to the ground multiple times on farmland near Elgin.
Janusz Wadzinski is also accused of striking the same animal with a stick at Clackmarras Farm, near Longmorn.
The 38-year-old is alleged to have used the vehicle to repeatedly strike the pig to its back legs and knock it to the ground over and over at the pig farm on March 20, 2020.
The charge alleges he caused the animal “unnecessary suffering” in that he did “drive the quad bike repeatedly striking the back legs of the pig with the bike, repeatedly knocking the pig to the ground with the bike and repeatedly striking the pig on the head and body with a stick or similar object”.
Wadzinski is also accused of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at the same farm, located just a mile or so from the main A98 Banff to Elgin road, by driving his quad bike at another agricultural vehicle and “pursuing” the couple within.
That charge alleges: “You did repeatedly shout, swear and conduct yourself in an aggressive manner towards a tractor or similar vehicle drive close to it, and pursue the vehicle while driving a quad bike causing them to take evasive action to avoid the bike”.
Wadzinski also faces a final allegation that he repeatedly punched a police officer in the face on the same date and at the same farm.
Denies all the charges
He appeared in the dock at Elgin Sheriff Court where he maintained a previously entered not guilty plea to all three charges against him.
His defence agent Iain Maltman spoke on his behalf and agreed to a further intermediate diet hearing date being set for next month.
Wadzinski, of Dykeside Cottages, Birnie, is due to stand trial in August.
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