UK Punk Band Deny Claims Of 'Sexual Assault' Against Fan During Show
20 April 2017, 14:24 | Updated: 8 May 2017, 17:09
Cabbage have released a statement on Twitter following accusations that spread on social media earlier today (April 20th).
The band Cabbage have been denied allegations raised on social media of inappropriate behaviour towards a female fan in the middle of a show earlier this week.
Cabbage are supporting Kasabian on their current tour and, at the April 19th show at London's Kentish Town Forum, lead singer Lee Broadbent was accused of having 'sexually assaulted' a young female fan stood in the front row, putting his hand down his trousers and rubbing it on the girl, grabbing her hair and "basically forcing her face first into his crotch".
The incident was first raised in an extended message on Twitter from user Nicole S. Rushworth who was also at the show:
A few words on the behaviour of @ahcabbage last night at @KasabianHQ, please suppprt @safegigs4women to encourage a safer gig environment pic.twitter.com/xXujlsS8EC
— Nicole S. Rushworth (@NicoleSR1) April 20, 2017
As detailed in the tweet, the girl's father complained to production staff who brought Lee out to apologise. But, instead, an argument ensued with Lee refusing to say sorry and claiming his actions were just part of his "act".
However, Cabbage have since released a statement on Twitter denying the incident, claiming that Lee never put his hands down his trousers and that the story is full of "fabrications":
Our words on last nights events. pic.twitter.com/N281ZMTZPr
— CABBAGE (@ahcabbage) April 20, 2017
They also claim that Lee was more than willing to apologise to any audience members who were offended by his performance and that he shook hands with the father and girl in question with no argument.
The story has split opinion among Twitter users, many showing support for the girl involved, encouraging increased safety for women at gigs:
@m0th_man @NicoleSR1 @ahcabbage @KasabianHQ @safegigs4women Too fucking right as well. Not to mention the fact he broke public indecency law by showing his bare arse to me at the end of the set
— Tom Wells (@TomWellsDFWYA) April 20, 2017
@NicoleSR1 @KasabianHQ @safegigs4women I was at this gig, its disgraceful that this happens. Was shocked how few women were there.
— nicola cane (@nic_cane) April 20, 2017
@NicoleSR1 @ahcabbage @KasabianHQ @safegigs4women He always rubs himself in front of 14/15 year old girls, happened at blossoms in Lincoln a few months back :/
— Georgia Stephenson (@G_Stephensonn) April 20, 2017
But other attendees at the show have come out in support of Lee, claiming that he did apologise and that the whole story is not being told, much like the band's statement suggests:
@NicoleSR1 @ahcabbage @KasabianHQ @safegigs4women This is completely false and you should be ashamed of yourself for trying to ruin an upcoming bands career with a lie like this
— Interstellar O^drive (@Interstellarmcr) April 20, 2017
@NicoleSR1 @ahcabbage @KasabianHQ @safegigs4women This is pure slander. I was at the gig and i was there when Lee apologised aswell! THEY BOTH SHOOK HIS HAND!
— Jason Goodwin (@Carsarecrashing) April 20, 2017
@NicoleSR1 @ahcabbage @KasabianHQ @safegigs4women If he did dis it's disgusting but HOW CAN YOU BE SO SURE? Please don't persecute dis poor guy til u see da evidence #innocenttilprovenguilty
— Crispin Shape (@CrispinShape) April 20, 2017
Cabbage will play with Kasabian in London again this evening (April 20th). You can find more information about the Safe Gigs For Women campaign on their webpage here.
