Rapper Chris Brown, 36, pleads NOT GUILTY to assault charge in connection to alleged bottle attack
Grammy-winning singer Chris Brown appeared at Southwark Crown Court this morning, pleading not guilty to attempting to cause grievous bodily harm in connection with an alleged bottle attack at a London nightclub two years ago.
The 36-year-old R&B star denied the charge relating to what prosecutors described as an “unprovoked attack” on music producer Abraham Diaw at Tape nightclub in February 2023.
Brown, wearing an ocean blue suit and black-rimmed glasses, arrived at court shortly after performing to thousands at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Thursday night.
Five or six fans gathered outside the court to show their support.
The singer also faces additional charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and having an offensive weapon, both relating to the same incident.
The judge adjourned the arraignment on these two counts, meaning Brown did not enter a plea for them.
Brown’s friend and fellow musician Omololu Akinlolu, 38, who performs as “Hoody Baby”, also pleaded not guilty to attempting to cause grievous bodily harm.
Akinlolu faces the same first two charges as Brown, but not the offensive weapon count.
Prosecutors said the alleged victim was standing at the bar when Brown launched the attack, striking him several times with a bottle.
Brown was arrested at the Lowry hotel in Manchester last month after returning to Britain for the first time since the incident. He had flown in by private jet to prepare for his Breezy Bowl XX world tour.
The musician was initially remanded in custody following a hearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court but was released after agreeing to pay a £5m security fee.
Under his bail conditions, Brown must live at a UK address and surrender his passport to police, though arrangements allow him to retrieve it for tour dates.
At his Manchester concert on Sunday, he thanked fans and joked: “And thank you to the jail. It was really nice.”
Brown is one of the biggest stars in US R&B, with two Grammy Awards and 19 top 10 singles in the UK, including hits like Turn Up The Music, Freaky Friday and Don’t Wake Me Up.
Last week, he won best male R&B/pop artist at the BET Awards in Los Angeles.
The alleged incident occurred on February 19, 2023, at Tape nightclub in Mayfair. Prosecutors said Brown pursued the victim to a separate area of the venue where he was “punched and kicked repeatedly by him and another”.
The attack was reportedly captured on surveillance cameras in front of a club full of people.