May 3, 1998 14:13

OZ ASSAULT CHARGES GONE BUT LIAM TO FACE UK CIVIL CASE

[B]LIAM GALLAGHER[/B] has had the charges against him of assaulting a British backpacker in Australia dropped...

Photo Gallery: Oasis

Oasis singer LIAM GALLAGHER (left in photo) has had the criminal charges of assault brought against him by a British backpacker in Brisbane, Australia dropped, reports the Australian Broadcasting Corporation today (Wednesday, June 3).

Gallagher, however, will still face a civil action in England, as Benjamin Jones - a British Oasis fan who claims Gallagher assaulted him during the band's recent Australian tour as he tried to take a photo of the star - intends to pursue a case for civil damages.

Jones claims the Oasis frontman attacked him outside a hotel in Brisbane, Queensland on March 5 this year. But Jones withdrew his support for the assault occasioning bodily harm charge, leaving the Brisbane magistrate no choice but to cancel the proceedings on lack of evidence. Gallagher was due to fly back to Australia next week for the court hearing.

The day after the alleged assault Gallagher attended court in Brisbane to be charged. He was freed on bail so he could complete the band's tour of Australia, New Zealand and South America.