A police officer who allegedly pushed an elderly man to the ground in a Sydney CBD supermarket will fight charges of reckless grievous bodily harm.

Leonard Batholomuesz suffered hip injuries in the alleged assault at the Town Hall Woolworths on the morning of April 30 last year.

The 73 year old was rushed to hospital but his condition deteriorated and he died within a week.

It took more than a year for police to charge Antonio Saffioti, a constable attached to a specialist command, with recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The 51 year old faced Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday, where he pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Saffioti, who is not in custody, did not speak to waiting media as he left the court.

A NSW Police spokesman said the officer had been suspended with pay.

He’ll be back in court in September.

AAP