A CITY landlord appeared in court, accused of using threatening or abusive behaviour towards a police officer.

Nicholas Adolf Von Hessen, 74, was brought before Brighton Magistrates’ Court to answer the charge today.

He did not enter a plea to the charge, as he said the prosecution has yet to serve documents.

But District Judge Amanda Kelly told him he would need to enter a plea to the case, and said the court would assume he would plead “not guilty”.

Elizabeth Gray, prosecuting, said documents would be served to him, and said Mr Von Hessen, of The Drive, Hove, is accused of using threatening or abusive behaviour in public.

The alleged incident happened on August 19, last year.

Mr Von Hessen represented himself, and was told a trial will take place at Brighton Magistrates’ Court.

He had wished for the case to appear before a jury, but Judge Kelly said any alleged breach of the Public Order Act is a summary offence that is tried before magistrates, not a crown court.

Mr Von Hessen, who was previously known as Nicholas Van Hoogstraten before changing his name by deed poll in 2009, was granted unconditional bail.

He will stand trial on March 3.