Ex-Kasabian frontman Tom Meighan spared jail after admitting assaulting former fiancee

Vikki Ager apparently did not want to see Meighan prosecuted
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Former Kasabian frontman Tom Meighan, 39, has been spared jail after pleading guilty to assaulting his ex-fiancee Vikki Ager.

The singer, 39, appeared at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday accused of assault by beating on April 9 this year.

Meighan originally denied an assault had taken place. However, after watching video footage, he told officers he could not watch it any further because it was “horrible”.

CCTV of the attack was played in court as the 39-year-old wiped his eyes with a tissue and held his head in his hands.

He was sentenced on Tuesday and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

Tom Meighan (centre) arrives at Leicester Magistrates' Court
PA

The court was told how Meighan “smelt heavily of intoxicants” as he assaulted his then fiancee.

Ms 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 a result of the attack.

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”.

He said officers described Ms Ager as being “visibly upset” while Meighan was said to be “unco-operative and aggressive” during what was a "sustained assault".

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”.

Meighan was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work
PA

Sentencing, 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.”

The judge continued: “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.”

Ordering Meighan to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, Mr Watson 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.”

The court hearing came just hours after Kasabian annouced Meighan was "stepping down" from the rock band.

In a statement, the group said: “Kasabian have announced today that Tom Meighan is stepping down from the band by mutual consent.

“Tom has struggled with personal issues that have affected his behaviour for quite some time and now wants to concentrate all his energies on getting his life back on track."

Meighan subsequently wrote on Twitter: “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.”

Guitarrist Serge Pizzorno and Meighan on stage during The Global Awards in 2018
PA

In 2012, he told The Sun that he had suffered a “meltdown” while Kasabian were on tour in the US that year.

He said: “I had a meltdown. Not a complete breakdown but I just lost it through the realisation of what was going on in my life.

“I went a bit mad for a couple of days. I panicked. I’ve never had that before. And I was at breaking point.”

In a 2017 interview with Q Magazine, he said he had “lost himself” the previous year.

“I had to sort my head out. My attitude. Stuff I was doing. People I was associating with. Not bad people. I was the one that was bad, I was in the haze,” he said.

He added: “Sometimes life throws s*** at you and I didn’t deal with it very well. I was making myself ill, I ain’t gonna lie, my mind was jolted.

“It might have been a build up from years and years. I wasn’t taking responsibility and it affected everyone around me, horrendous.”

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