Man Who Attacked Noel Gallagher at Festival Pleads Guilty

Posted on Nov 23rd 2009 4:51AM by Richard Moore
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A man has pleaded guilty to assault after attacking Noel Gallagher at the V Festival in Canada in September 2008.

During a headlining performance from Noel's former band Oasis, Daniel Sullivan was accused of mounting the stage and lunging at the guitarist, causing him to fall and injure himself. Sullivan admitted to causing bodily harm to Gallagher in the Ontario Court of Justice on Nov. 20.

Crown attorney Ruth Neilson -- reading an agreed statement of facts to Justice Richard Schneide -- said, "Sullivan managed to make his way up to the main stage area, run past the electrical cords set up along the stage, pass the drum kit and lunge toward Noel Gallagher, shoving him violently from behind with great force."

The court was also told how Sullivan then attempted to reach Gallagher's brother Liam, but was tackled by security personnel. He was then taken kicking and screaming backstage, where he was later arrested by police who then attempted to calm him down.

Neilson said that Sullivan had been intoxicated at the time and now has no recollection of how he was able to gain access to the stage, except that he "remembers attempting to climb over the fence".

Gallagher suffered three broken ribs as a result of the attack, causing Oasis to cancel other performances. According to Noel it took eight months before he fully recovered, the Toronto Sun has reported.

Justice Schneider has ordered a pre-sentence report for Sullivan. His sentencing hearing will begin on Feb. 5, 2010.