Noel Gallagher felt like he had been “hit by a bus” when a fan attacked him on stage during a gig in Canada, a court has heard.

Danny Sullivan, 48, assaulted Gallagher on stage as his former band Oasis performed at the V Festival in Toronto in September 2008.

He pleaded guilty in November to assault causing bodily harm.

In a victim impact statement read out at Sullivan's sentencing on Tuesday (March 23), the guitarist said the incident had forced him to spend months in rehabilitation and cancel five shows.

"I would describe the sudden impact and shock as feeling as if I had been hit by a bus,” Gallagher said.

"The promotional work in connection with the launch of the new album was very important to its success and early sales momentum. This opportunity was lost.”

Sullivan, who has accepted full responsibility, has claimed he was drunk and couldn't remember how he got backstage at the festival.

But Crown attorney Ruth Kleinhenz-Neilson highlighted how the amateur actor had been able to climb through a tiny gap on the stage in order to reach Gallagher.

The Crown is seeking a sentence of 6-8 months in jail, according to the Canadian Press. Sullivan is due to be sentenced on April 21.

(by Jason Gregory)