The lead singer of the British rock band Oasis said being attacked on a Toronto stage left him feeling like he had been "hit by a bus."
A victim impact statement written by Noel Gallagher was read in court yesterday as part of the sentencing proceedings against Pickering father of three Danny Sullivan.
Oasis was performing at the Virgin Music Festival in 2008 when Mr. Sullivan, 48, rushed from the back of the stage and shoved Mr. Gallagher into a speaker, breaking three of his ribs. The band was required to cancel five concerts in North America and Europe as well as various promotional appearances for their latest album. The Crown requested six to eight months of jail time for the "bizarre act," saying Mr. Sullivan showed no real remorse and that similar incidents must be deterred.
Mr. Sullivan has offered no explanation for the attack, but that he was drunk at the time. But the Crown contended that Mr. Sullivan was able to negotiate his way backstage and make his way through other band members to attack Mr. Gallagher and lunge at his brother, Liam, before being tackled by concert staff.
Mr. Sullivan, who runs a home renovation business and is member of several theatre troops, says he is a fan of Oasis. His lawyer requested a conditional sentence saying his client has been sufficiently punished by media scrutiny and the death threats he has experienced on the Internet. His lawyer also suggested that it was ironic that his client was charged with drunkenness and violence "for which the band has a well-earned reputation." Mr. Gallagher has also launched a $2-million civil suit. Ms. Sullivan will be sentenced on April 21.