A man accused of punching a police dog in the face after allegedly abandoning his car after crashing it on a rural road will face trial later this year.

James Rowe, aged 35, pleaded not guilty to four charges which are alleged to have happened on the same night on December 27, last year.

He is accused of drink driving and leaving his vehicle on the B4393 between Llanfechain and Brynderwen, near Llanfyllin on December 27 last year.

Later that evening he is alleged to have punched a police dog and obstructed a police officer at his home in Ffordd Spoonley, Llansantffraid.

Nerys Jones, chair of the bench at Welshpool Magistrates' Court, fixed a trial date for April 3 and granted Rowe unconditional bail.