Oasis fan Katie Stratford brought her family to see the iconic band in Heaton Park and said it was the first ‘night off’ she and partner David Hayward had had in three years
A group who splashed out more than £1,000 to see Oasis perform at Heaton Park saw their evening destroyed after a father-of-two was hauled away by security.
David Hayward, 29, attended the concert alongside his partner, brother and sister-in-law on Wednesday, July 16. His partner Katie Stratford revealed that it marked the first ‘evening out’ the young parents from Banbury in Oxfordshire had enjoyed in three years.
They savoured the opening half-hour of the Oasis reunion concert before security ‘seized’ David and escorted him away, Katie explained. The 29-year-old dog groomer shared that David underwent a drug search and was subsequently alleged to have participated in an altercation.
Yet Katie maintains that when she enquired about the situation, security declined to assist and refused to offer any details. The episode happened on the same evening that Oasis devotee Lewis Burnage from Wakefield was mistakenly ejected by security.
Katie told Manchester Evening News: “We were just dancing because we’ve been waiting for this moment for so long. Then nine to 10 blokes walked over and just grabbed David. No one knew anything. They didn’t care at all.
“We’re all parents. It’s our first night off in three years. The whole thing was just wild. We cooperated. We were really pleasant. They were swearing at us, telling us we were p***ing them off.
“We just wanted to get back to the event. They just wouldn’t help me at all. I’ve never been to an event that was so disgusting in my whole life. They were vile.”
Katie added that she dashed over to the bar to locate David’s brother after security whisked him away, before setting off to find David himself. Upon locating him in a sectioned-off area, David informed her that he had been searched for drugs, but none were found.
He was subsequently accused of participating in a brawl and was informed that security were deliberating whether to arrest him or escort him from the premises.
Katie approached the police for assistance, but to no avail. She was told she could re-enter the event without David.
However, her mobile phone was with her sister-in-law, leaving her concerned about locating the rest of their party. Katie alleges that the group shelled out more than £1,000 on tickets and accommodation, as well as covering costs for childcare, dog sitters and travel.
The couples, who are predominantly self-employed, also took two days off work, while Katie’s parents took time off to care for the children.
She added: “It ruined it for my sister-in-law and brother-in-law as well. They missed about 30 minutes trying to get information.”
Katie has since lodged a complaint with the event organisers. According to emails viewed by Manchester Evening News, SJM Concerts are investigating the matter.
The 29 year old is hoping for either a refund or tickets to another date on the Oasis reunion tour.
The Mirror has contacted SJM Concerts for comment on this story.
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