Two Metallica fans received a lifetime ban from Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia after they were caught climbing a speaker tower during the band’s show on November 1.
20-year-old Beau William Loch Rollings and 23-year-old Rory Hugh Culbert both jumped over security fencing and climbed the tower, remaining at top for about 20 minutes before climbing back to the ground.
Rollings and Culbert’s stunt caused quite a bit of commotion during Metallica’s concert, with many fans’ attention being drawn away from the show as security responded to the incident and attempted to bring them down.
Both men pleaded guilty to trespassing and were ordered to hand over their phones, which contained footage of the incident. Magistrate Ruth Dineen later approved the defense’s request to return the phones, despite the prosecution’s call for them to be destroyed.
Although the pair gave “no explanation” for their actions, during his court appearance Rollings did admit to the Magistrate that he had been drinking before climbing the tower.
Dineen told Rollings that while their actions may have “seemed funny at the time,” they carried serious consequences. It was “an incredibly stupid thing to do and a good way to ruin your night out,” the magistrate added.
Rollings’ defense counsel Rachael Gemmell called it “just stupid behavior” that he does not intend to repeat. After receiving a lifetime ban from the venue, however, Rollings won’t ever be given the chance.
The 20-year-old was also fined $1000 and ordered to pay $308.80 in court costs.
Culbert received a similar penalty and was also banned from Optus Stadium for life.
