logo
Chris Brown due to enter plea over ‘bottle attack' charge

Chris Brown due to enter plea over ‘bottle attack' charge

Yahoo8 hours ago

R&B singer Chris Brown is due to appear in court to enter a plea after he was charged over an alleged bottle attack at a London nightclub two years ago.
The American musician, 36, was able to continue with his scheduled international tour after he was freed on conditional bail last month.
Brown, accused of causing grievous bodily harm to Abraham Diaw in February 2023, is set to appear at Southwark Crown Court on Friday morning alongside his co-defendant, US national Omololu Akinlolu, 38, for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
The Go Crazy singer had to pay a £5 million security fee to the court as part of the bail agreement, which is a financial guarantee to ensure a defendant returns to court and may be forfeited if they breach bail conditions.
Brown and Akinlolu have both been charged relating to the alleged assault at the Tape venue in Hanover Square in Mayfair on February 19 2023.
Manchester Magistrates' Court heard last month that Mr Diaw was standing at the bar of the Tape nightclub when he was struck several times with a bottle, and was then pursued to a separate area of the nightclub where he was punched and kicked repeatedly.
Brown was arrested at Manchester's Lowry Hotel at 2am on May 15 by detectives from the Metropolitan Police.
He is said to have flown into Manchester Airport on a private jet in preparation for the UK tour dates.
Brown was released from HMP Forest Bank in Salford, Greater Manchester, on May 21.
Shortly after being released from prison, Brown posted an Instagram story referencing his upcoming tour.
It said: 'FROM THE CAGE TO THE STAGE!!! BREEZYBOWL.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Man thought he'd beaten the system - then a letter turned up
Man thought he'd beaten the system - then a letter turned up

Yahoo

time22 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Man thought he'd beaten the system - then a letter turned up

A man is celebrating after a case about his TV licence was thrown out of court. Lee Stuart had applied for a TV licence when he moved to a new house, but later decided to cancel it because he did not watch any live television. However, after a conversation with a TV Licence inspection officer where he confirmed as much, he was shocked to find a letter saying he was in breach of licence requirements and was facing a hefty fine. According to guidance on the TV Licensing website, a licence is required to watch or record live TV on any channel or device, including live programming streamed online via services such as ITV Hub, All 4, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video. A licence is also necessary for using BBC iPlayer, reports the ECHO. READ MORE: He was stopped by police on the M6 - now he's spending years behind bars READ MORE: Aldi reveals 20 locations it wants to open new stores - full list A TV Licensing spokesperson told the newspaper: 'If a property we believe should be licensed is unlicensed, letters are sent to that address advising of the requirement for a TV Licence if the occupant watches live TV or other licensable content. This stops for one year when the occupant declares they don't need a licence, when letters will resume to check if circumstances have changed.' In September last year, Mr Stuart was visited by a TV Licensing inspection officer. He described the visit as an opportunity to explain his viewing habits in person, adding: 'I told him I didn't pay for a TV licence because I didn't think I needed one because I don't watch live TV. 'I don't even have an aerial installed in my TV, and I invited him to do his checks. He was a bit apprehensive, but he looked at everything and asked me what I used the TV for. "So I told him I just watch Netflix and Amazon Prime through the PlayStation, and he asked me if I used BBC iPlayer and I said, 'no'.' Following the inspection, Mr Stuart said the officer confirmed he was not in breach of licensing requirements. Mr Stuart, from Kirkby, described how the officer documented their conversation and read back the main points, including that no live TV was being watched and no BBC iPlayer account was used. He added: 'It was official, and I agreed with what he had said, so when I was presented with the big white signature box, I just signed it, and then he left. To be honest, I was really made up with myself, thinking I'd beaten the system and proved I didn't need a licence.' However, in January this year, Mr Stuart received a Single Justice Procedure Notice (SJPN), which covers those who are alleged to have watched TV without a licence. Lee explained: 'It said if I pleaded not guilty, the fine would be larger and I may have to pay court costs. So I'm not sure what's going on at this point. 'I looked through it all, and at the back was the inspector's statement. Straight away I clocked the question, 'May I come in to inspect the TV receiver?' and it said 'no' in the answer box, so that was wrong because I did. 'The next point was saying I admitted to watching the news last week. So I've refused him entry and then admitted on the step I watched live news last week? It didn't make any sense.' Mr Stuart chose to contest the notice and represented himself at Sefton Magistrates Court. He said: 'I can see why people just accept it, but I knew I was innocent and I wasn't paying for a TV licence that I didn't need so I fought it.' "I'll be totally honest, I was surprised by the outcome and I thought it might be good to share my experience.' The court dismissed the case due to insufficient evidence. A TV Licensing spokesperson said: 'This was reviewed by TV Licensing following the court hearing in April 2025 as is standard practice, and no failings were highlighted.' The ECHO understands that while both the officer and Mr Stuart gave credible in-person testimony, the magistrates could not find the case was proved beyond reasonable doubt. Mr Stuart, initially pleased with the outcome, later received a further letter from TV Licensing advising of the licence requirement. He has since submitted a formal complaint and a No Licence Needed (NLN) declaration. He added: 'The form asks at the end, 'What outcome do you want from this?' and I just put 'All I want is to be left alone, but an apology wouldn't go amiss'.' TV Licensing confirmed it has now received Mr Stuart's NLN declaration.

Chris Brown pleads not guilty to a charge that he beat and injured a music producer in London
Chris Brown pleads not guilty to a charge that he beat and injured a music producer in London

Associated Press

time30 minutes ago

  • Associated Press

Chris Brown pleads not guilty to a charge that he beat and injured a music producer in London

LONDON (AP) — Grammy-winning singer Chris Brown pleaded not guilty Friday to a charge that he beat and seriously injured a music producer with a bottle in a London nightclub in 2023. Brown, 36, pleaded not guilty to one count of causing grievous bodily harm with intent in Southwark Crown Court. 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.

Missing Rolex case: Woman charged with murder after 69-year-old stabbed in her north London flat
Missing Rolex case: Woman charged with murder after 69-year-old stabbed in her north London flat

Yahoo

time35 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Missing Rolex case: Woman charged with murder after 69-year-old stabbed in her north London flat

A woman has been charged with the murder of a 69-year-old woman who was stabbed in her home. Jennifer Abbott - also known as Sarah Steinberg - was pronounced dead at her flat in Camden, north London, last Friday. Police previously said they believed the death could be linked to a missing diamond-encrusted Rolex watch. Nancy Pexton, also 69, has been charged by the Metropolitan Police and is due to appear at Highbury Magistrates' Court later today. Ms Abbott was found by her niece and neighbours, who broke her door down after her family had not heard from her for several days. She had last been seen walking her corgi in the area on 10 June. A post-mortem examination gave her cause of death as sharp force trauma. Detective Inspector Barry Hart previously said: "Our deepest sympathies are with the victim's loved ones who are being supported by specialist officers at this time." There has been an increased police presence in the area as detectives explore "several lines of inquiry". Neighbours described Ms Abbott as "exuberant" and "vivacious".

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store