Tom Meighan: Former Kasabian singer pleads guilty to assaulting ex-fiancee
Frontman spared jail and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work for ‘sustained attack’
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Former Kasabian lead singer Tom Meighan has pleaded guilty to assaulting his former fiancee.
The 39-year-old was sentenced at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday after he admitted assaulting Vikki Ager on 9 April this year and was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.
The court was told Meighan “smelt heavily of intoxicants” as he assaulted his former fiancee.
A child witnessed the assault and contacted 999 to say a “domestic incident was taking place,” the court heard.
Prosecutor Naeem Valli said the child “sounded panicked and afraid” while making the call and the victim could be heard saying “get off me, get off me”.
Mr Valli said officers described Ms Ager as being “visibly upset” while Meighan was said to be “uncooperative and aggressive”.
Meighan originally denied an assault had taken place but after watching video footage, he told officers he could not watch it any further because it was “horrible”.
The court heard Vikki Ager suffered bruising to her knees, left elbow, outer ankle and big toe as well as a reddening around the neck, which she confirmed to police was as a result of the assault.
Prosecutor Naeem Valli told the court the offence “could be argued to be relatively serious” – describing it as a “sustained assault”.
CCTV of the attack was played in court as Meighan wiped his eyes with a tissue and held his head in his hands.
Defending Meighan, Michelle Heeley QC told the court he “offers his sincere apologies to the people he has let down and he has sought to address his offending behaviour”.
Sentencing Meighan, District Judge Nick Watson told the former Kasabian frontman: “Ms Ager has not made a statement to police and does not appear to support this prosecution.
“Of course, that choice does not mean I should treat this offence any less seriously.
“You knocked Ms Ager over on more than one occasion and put your hands to her throat.
“You hit her in the face and pushed her into a hamster cage, which resulted in injury to her head.
“You threatened her with a wooden pallet. It seems you thought better of it, thankfully, and threw it down on the hot tub aggressively.
“Throughout most of the video she could be seen fighting you off.
“There are a number of things which make this offence more serious. A child was witness to this behaviour and she must have been frightened over what was happening.
“The police have been called before and there is evidence of previous abusive behaviour. Ms Ager says what happened was an isolated event.”
Sentencing Meighan to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, the judge said: “I need to take account of the fact that not only did you hurt Ms Ager, you also let down many people – band members and those who love your music.
“They will be shocked about what you did that night. I have been told that you have recognised that you have a problem with alcohol.”
On Monday, Meighan announced he was leaving Kasabian after more than 23 years, with a statement from the band describing the musician as having “personal issues” and saying he wanted to focus on “getting his life back on track”.
He later tweeted: “Following today’s announcement I just wanted to let you all know that I am doing well. I’m in a really good place now.
“Thanks for all your love and support. I’ll be seeing you all very soon.”
Meighan’s departure from the band leaves guitarist Serge Pizzorno and bassist Chris Edwards as the only remaining founding members, with current drummer Ian Matthews joining the group in 2004.
It is unclear whether Kasabian will seek to replace Meighan as lead vocalist.
Additional reporting by Press Association