Chris Brown Faces Court Over London Bottle Attack Allegations
Chris Brown is due back in a UK courtroom this week following serious allegations of a violent incident at a London nightclub last year.
The American R&B star, aged 36, stands accused of launching a brutal bottle assault at the exclusive Tape club in Mayfair, Hanover Square, on 19 February 2023.
He has denied the charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent to Abraham Diaw.
The case, drawing widespread attention, resumes at Southwark Crown Court on Friday for a plea hearing. A trial is currently scheduled for October.
Brown isn’t alone in the dock. His co-defendant, Omololu Akinlolu, a 39-year-old fellow US national, has also pleaded not guilty to the same GBH charge.
Both men also face charges of assault causing actual bodily harm. Additionally, Brown has been accused of carrying an offensive weapon – a bottle – in a public place.
Despite the looming legal cloud, Brown has not paused his international commitments. The Grammy-winning artist, known for hits like Run It! and Go Crazy, went ahead with his planned tour. He even performed in Cardiff last month as part of a major stadium show marking two decades in the music industry.
His bail, however, didn’t come cheap. The court required a staggering £5 million security, acting as a financial safeguard to ensure his compliance with court orders. Any breach, and the money’s gone.
At a previous hearing, defence barrister Sallie Bennett-Jenkins KC told the court that the singer’s work commitments had made communication with him challenging.
Details of the alleged assault are grim. Prosecutors told Manchester Magistrates’ Court that Mr Diaw was attacked while standing at the bar – repeatedly struck with a bottle. The violence didn’t stop there. He was reportedly chased into another part of the club and subjected to further punches and kicks.
Brown was arrested in the early hours of 15 May at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester by Metropolitan Police officers. He had arrived in the UK on a private jet, ahead of his tour dates.
He spent nearly a week in custody at HMP Forest Bank in Salford before being released on 21 May.
Soon after, Brown took to Instagram, sharing a message that raised eyebrows: “FROM THE CAGE TO THE STAGE!!! BREEZYBOWL.”
The trial, if it goes ahead as planned, will put the spotlight not only on the legal claims but also on how a global star balances fame with accountability.
More to come as the story unfolds.
