Beau William Rollings: Metallica fan who climbed Optus Stadium tower cops lifetime venue ban and $1000 fine
A 20-year-old man who climbed the center tower at Metallica’s epic Perth concert has been banned for life from Optus Stadium and fined for his dangerous antics.
Beau William Loch Rollings, from the Bunbury suburb of Carey Park, and Rory Hugh Culbert, 23, from Australind, climbed the tower during the heavy metal band’s two-hour set on November 1.
The Perth Magistrates Court was told on Tuesday the pair jumped over security fencing at around 10.30pm. They remained on the tower, 10-50 m high, for approximately 20 minutes before descending.
Judge Ruth Dineen said “something that seemed funny at the time” had major consequences. Both men were charged with trespass by summons and pleaded guilty at their initial hearings.
The police prosecutor said the pair offered “no explanation” for their behavior. Mobile phones containing images of the incident were seized.
Defense lawyer Rachael Gemmell said it was “just stupid behavior” that Rollings did not want to repeat. He will no longer be able to do this as he has been banned from the venue for life.
The judge said it was an “incredibly stupid thing to do and a good way to ruin your night”, turning a boys’ night out into an expensive fling.
Ms. Dineen agreed to the attorney’s request that Rollings’ phone be returned rather than destroyed as the prosecution requested.
He also accepted Ms Gemmell’s claim that the charge had been a “sobering experience” for the young man and sentenced him.
When asked, Rollings told the judge he had been drinking before climbing the tower.
Ms. Dineen fined Rollings $1,000 and ordered him to pay $308.80 in court costs.
Rollings refused to speak to Seven West Media outside court.
Culbert was given a similar sentence in the same court on Monday and was banned from the stadium for life.
