Singer Chris Brown pleads not guilty in London assault case
LONDON — Grammy-winning singer Chris Brown pleaded not guilty Friday to a charge related to the serious beating of a music producer with a bottle in a London nightclub in 2023.
Brown, 36, pleaded not guilty in Southwark Crown Court to one count of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.
Brown's friend and fellow musician Omololu Akinlolu, 38, who performs under the name 'Hoody Baby,' pleaded not guilty to the same charge.
Prosecutors said Brown and Akinlolu assaulted producer Abe Diaw at a bar in the Tape nightclub in the swanky Mayfair neighborhood in February 2023. Brown allegedly launched an unprovoked attack on Diaw and hit him several times with a bottle and then punched and kicked him.
The attack was caught on surveillance camera in front of a club full of people, prosecutors said.
Brown was released last month on 5 million-pound ($6.75 million) bail, which allowed him to start his world tour earlier this month.
Brown, who burst onto the music scene as a teen in 2005, won his first Grammy for best R&B album in 2011 for 'F.A.M.E.' and then earned his second in the same category for '11:11 (Deluxe)' earlier this year.
His hits include songs such as 'Run It,' 'Kiss Kiss' and 'Without You.'
His tour is due to kick off June 8 in Amsterdam before starting North America shows in July.
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Chris Brown pleads not guilty to assault charge in UK court over alleged attack
Chris Brown pleads not guilty to assault charge in UK court over alleged attack Show Caption Hide Caption Chris Brown arrested over 2023 incident in London Metropolitan Police arrested Chris Brown in Manchester, England, on May 15 for an incident that took place in London on Feb. 19, 2023. Chris Brown pleaded not guilty on Friday, June 20, to attacking a music producer with a bottle in a London nightclub two years ago. Brown is charged with attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm in what prosecutors said was an "unprovoked attack" with a tequila bottle on Abraham Diaw in a London nightclub in 2023. The 36-year-old appeared at London's Southwark Crown Court, where supporters filled the public gallery ahead of the hearing. The two-time Grammy Award winner, known for hits such as "Loyal," "Run It" and "Under the Influence," was granted bail in May after promising to pay a $6.7 million security fee in order to begin his "Breezy Bowl XX" tour. During the court hearing, Brown spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth and to deny the charge of attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm, telling the court clerk: "Not guilty, ma'am." Chris Brown makes bail, surrenders passport as world tour looms His co-defendant, Omololu Akinlolu, 38, also pleaded not guilty to the charge of attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm. The pair were granted bail until their next court appearance on July 11, when they may be asked to enter a plea to a less serious charge of assault causing actual bodily harm. Brown is also charged with having an offensive weapon, namely a bottle, but was not asked to enter a plea on Friday. Their trial is scheduled to begin on October 26, 2026. Supporters said "We love you, Chris" as Brown left the dock after the brief hearing. The R&B star was arrested at a hotel in Manchester, northern England, last month after returning to Britain for the first time since the incident two years ago.
CNN
31 minutes ago
- CNN
US singer Chris Brown pleads not guilty to assault charge in UK court
US singer Chris Brown pleaded not guilty on Friday to a charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm following an alleged bottle attack at a London nightclub in 2023. Appearing at Southwark Crown Court, the Grammy-winning artist denied accusations that he attempted to unlawfully and maliciously cause grievous bodily harm with intent to Abraham Diaw at Tape nightclub in Mayfair, London, on February 19, 2023. Brown confirmed his name and date of birth before entering his plea, saying: 'Not guilty ma'am' during the hearing at Southwark Crown Court, according to PA Media news agency. His co-defendant, Omololu Akinlolu, a US national who turned 39 on the day of the hearing, denied the same charge. The pair are further charged with assaulting Diaw occasioning him actual bodily harm. Brown also faces one count of having an offensive weapon – a bottle – in a public place. They were not asked to enter pleas on those counts, with a further court hearing set for July 11. Approximately 20 spectators – many reportedly fans of the R&B singer – sat in the public gallery behind the dock for Friday's hearing, according to PA Media. The 36-year-old has continued performing on his international tour while on conditional bail. He took to the stage in Cardiff on Thursday evening, just hours before the court appearance. During a hearing last month, Manchester Magistrates' Court was told that Diaw had been standing at the bar inside Tape nightclub when he was struck several times with a bottle. The alleged attack continued in another part of the venue, where he was reportedly punched and kicked repeatedly. Brown, often called by his nickname Breezy, was arrested at Manchester's Lowry Hotel at 2 a.m. on May 15 this year by detectives from the Metropolitan Police. He was then released from HMP Forest Bank in Salford, Greater Manchester, on May 21. Under the terms of his bail, Brown was required to pay £4 million ($5.4 million) with a further £1 million due in seven days. The sum served as a financial guarantee to secure his return to court and may be forfeited if he breaches any of the conditions of his release. A date for a five- to seven-day trial has been set for October next year.
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