TORONTO - A Toronto courthouse will be the venue for Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher's next Canadian appearance.
The British rock star has decided to deliver his victim impact statement in person at the sentencing for a Toronto-area contractor who attacked him on stage in September 2008.
Daniel Sullivan pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing bodily harm last November and was looking forward to putting the matter behind him Friday. Instead, the case was adjourned so Gallagher could attend the hearing.
"Mr. Sullivan has had this, like an albatross, around his neck for 1 1/2 years," his lawyer John Collins told the court.
"He and his family have suffered difficult and emotional distress."
Despite Collins' best efforts, the hearing was ultimately delayed after Crown prosecutor Ruth Kleinhenz informed the court that Gallagher asked for an adjournment. The musician wants to amend his victim impact statement and be in court to deliver it.
Kleinhenz said she also needed time to review the pre-sentencing report and a variety of other materials recently disclosed by the defence.
Collins argued his client did the "honourable" thing by pleading guilty and that he was "remorseful."
He argued an adjournment would unfairly delay justice, but the judge agreed to the Crown's request.
"Mr. Sullivan and I are very disappointed that the sentencing hearing did not proceed today. He pleaded guilty to this charge well over two months ago," Collins said outside the courthouse while his client stood silently next to him.
"The 11th hour application of the Crown and the complainant, Mr. Gallagher, to be here in person to read his victim impact statement, in my view, is unreasonable."
The defence is expected to seek a conditional sentence with no jail time. The Crown's position remains unclear.
Both sides will be back in court next Tuesday to set a date for the hearing.
The 48-year-old from Pickering, Ont., has admitted he was drunk and couldn't remember how he got backstage at the Virgin Music Festival.
In videos taken by fans and posted on the Internet, Sullivan is seen storming the stage from behind and pushing Gallagher into some speakers while the band performed their 1995 hit "(What's the Story) Morning Glory."
A flailing Sullivan is then tackled by security guards as he approaches Gallagher's younger brother, singer Liam Gallagher.
Gallagher suffered three broken and dislodged ribs in the incident. The band had to cancel five shows as a result.
Oasis, one of the most successful British bands of the '90s, have been an on-again, off-again band in recent years. They're equally notorious for their violent and public sibling feuds as they are for their Britpop melodies.
Also known for their arrogance, the tabloid darlings are often quoted insulting other performers as well as each other.
