Man Assaulted at AC/DC Concert Cleared of Charges After Year-Long Court Battle

Troy Saxby, who was arrested following an altercation at an AC/DC concert in Sydney, has had assault charges against him dismissed after a nearly year-long court process.

Saxby had been waiting a decade to take his teenage daughters to see AC/DC perform as part of their Power Up tour at Accor Stadium in November of the previous year. The incident occurred when Saxby stood up to enjoy his favorite song, "Thunderstruck," and was subsequently punched in the back of the head by a stranger seated behind him.

According to Saxby, the man behind him told him to "Sit down, you fat c***." Saxby then turned to address the man, but was allegedly punched three times, sustaining a head injury. Fearing for his daughters' safety, Saxby stated he retaliated by hitting the man twice, returning him to his seat. Police present at the stadium then arrested both Saxby and the alleged attacker.

Saxby, a 52-year-old music teacher and NDIS support worker, was charged with affray, as was the 64-year-old man. Saxby reported being taken to a mobile police unit at the stadium, though he was not handcuffed. He described the experience as a "nightmare," stating it ruined the special family occasion. His younger daughter was reportedly in tears, and Saxby expressed disappointment that the event was "wrecked by one bloke doing the wrong thing."

Initially, Saxby also received a six-month ban from the stadium. The ongoing legal proceedings caused him significant stress, as he feared losing his employment due to the potential consequences of a guilty verdict. He appeared in Burwood Local Court on January 20, and again approximately ten months later.

On his third court appearance on a Wednesday, Saxby pleaded not guilty. At that time, the police prosecutor announced the charges were being dropped, resulting in no fines or court costs for Saxby, beyond his personal expenses for travel and meals, and the missed concert. Saxby mentioned that he learned the man who punched him had received the same outcome on August 28, though he was not given an explanation for the withdrawal of charges.

Saxby expressed that while he considers any court win a victory, he found the year-long ordeal and the eventual dismissal of charges for both parties unsatisfactory. He questioned the message this sends, noting the potential danger of being hit in the back of the head, especially in a stadium setting.

AC/DC, formed in 1973, has sold an estimated over 200 million records. Lead singer Brian Johnson is 79 and guitarist Angus Young is 71, making him the last original member after the death of his brother Malcolm Young.