Comic claims brutality at Download 06

A comedian performing at the Download music festival claims he was beaten up by security men when riots blighted the final night.

Andrew O’Neill says he was dragged into the back of a van and repeatedly punched in the face after he challenged riot police who had been called in to quell disturbances at the Castle Donnington rock festival. He sustained these injuries, right, during Sunday night's trouble.

Violence marred the event after police were called to attend major fires started in the campsites. Around dozen people were held after they threw missiles at the officers, and organisers say around 150 ‘troublemakers’ were involved in the disturbances.

O’Neill, an anarchist stand-up, was returning to the acts’ campsite when he was blocked by riot police who, he says, knocked him down with their riot shields.

He said: ‘I asked for the number of the cop who knocked me down. He stays silent. I ask again. They prepare for another charge. I get down on my knees and stretch out my arms, "I am defenceless. I just  want your number. It's my right. What is your number?"’

It was then that the festival’s security teams stepped in.

‘A load of big security guys grab me, drag me by my wrists to a van,’ he said. ‘They throw me in, the doors close. They start punching me in the face. "You want our fucking number? I'll give you our fucking number.” I feel more punches and what I think are kicks.’

O’Neill was then taken to a holding area where his wristbands were removed, so he could not return to the festival site. He says he was refused water even though blood was streaming down his face.

However, he did manage to sneak back into the festival grounds, where he was reunited with his girlfriend, who he claims was also repeatedly knocked to the ground by security staff for demanding to know where O’Neill was being held.

She was later treated in hospital for sprained ankle, while O’Neill had his facial wounds seen to.

The comic says he intends to take further action against the security staff, adding: ‘I want any photos or video footage anyone has. I'm going to take this all the way with them.’

Festival director Stuart Galbraith has promised to investigate the trouble on the Sunday night, and has appealed for information from anyone ‘affected as a victim either by the troublemakers or the police’.

However, neither the festival nor the security contractors responded to Chortle’s request for a comment on O’Neill’s case.

Leicestershire police are also holding their own investigation. They said they detained around a dozen people for a variety of offences including assault and damage, although there were not thought to have been any serious injuries.

Superintendent Paul Smith, of Leicestershire Constabulary’s Community Safety Department, said: ‘A full investigation is under way to establish exactly what happened and to assess the extent of crime and the identity of any offenders.

‘Some people may have recorded events on their mobile phones and this evidence could prove vital to our investigation. Anyone who has footage or information is asked to get in touch with us as soon as possible.’

Video and photographic evidence of the night has already appeared on the web. O’Neill believes this video (click here) shows his run-in with the police before he was taken away.

 

Published: 15 Jun 2006