Latest news with #TonyBaumgartner
RNZ News
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Singer Chris Brown pleads not guilty in UK assault case
By Helen Rowe , AFP US rapper Chris Brown reacts as he leaves Southwark Crown Court in London, 20 June 2025, after pleading not guilty to attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent during an alleged London nightclub brawl in 2023. Photo: Carlos Jasso / AFP American R&B singer Chris Brown on Friday pleaded not guilty in a UK court to a charge stemming from an alleged London nightclub brawl in 2023. Brown, 36, in a navy blue three-piece suit and tie and wearing glasses, stood in the dock as the charge was put to him, replying: "Not guilty, ma'am." The singer, who is on £5 million (NZ$11.2m) bail, made no comment as he arrived earlier to find a large group of photographers gathered outside the central London court. He spoke only during the hearing to confirm his name and date of birth and enter his plea to the charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent. He smiled and waved to fans in the public gallery as he left. A five- to seven-day-long trial was fixed to start on 26 October 2026. Currently on the UK leg of an international tour, Brown spent nearly a week in jail last month before being released on bail. Police arrested the star at a five-star hotel in the northwestern city of Manchester hours after reportedly flying in by private jet. Under the terms of his bail, he will forfeit the £5m guarantee if he fails to return for court proceedings. Judge Tony Baumgartner gave him the green light to continue his scheduled tour, which began on 8 June in Amsterdam. The singer, who had a troubled relationship with Barbadian singer Rihanna, is next due to perform in London on Saturday ahead of dates in Manchester, Birmingham, Dublin and Glasgow. Handout photo provided by the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, Chris Brown is seen in a police booking photo after his arrest on charges of felony battery on 5 July 2018 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Photo: Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office The tour will continue in France and Portugal in early July before a string of concerts in the US, wrapping up in Memphis in the US in October. Brown is charged in relation to an assault in which the victim was allegedly struck several times with a bottle before being pursued, punched and kicked. The alleged incident took place at the exclusive private member's club Tape in Hanover Square in London on 19 February 2023, while Brown was touring in the UK. Other bail terms include that he should surrender his passport if he is not travelling. He is also required to live at a specific address known to the court and is not permitted to visit the nightclub where the alleged assault took place or contact the alleged victim, Abraham Diah. Shortly after being released from prison in May, Brown posted an Instagram story referencing his "Breezybowl" tour. "From the cage to the stage. Breezybowl," he posted. Brown appeared in the dock at Friday's London hearing with co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu, 39, also a US national, with whom he is jointly charged. Akinlolu also entered a not-guilty plea to the same charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent. Both men are also jointly charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm. They will enter pleas to that charge on 11 July, the court was told. Brown also faces a third charge of having an offensive weapon, a bottle, in public. The Grammy-winning singer is known for mid-2000s hits such as 'Kiss, Kiss'. He rose from a local church choir in Virginia to sudden fame with his rich R&B voice, and later, rap. - AFP
Al Bawaba
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Bawaba
Russell Brand pleads not guilty to rape and assault charges, trial set for 2026
ALBAWABA - Russell Brand pleads not guilty in London court amid rape allegations Actor, comedian, and conspiracy-theorizing YouTuber Russell Brand entered a not guilty plea to several rape and sexual assault allegations on Friday in a London courtroom. The presiding judge, Tony Baumgartner, stated after a brief hearing that Mr. Brand will be put on trial on June 3, 2026, for four to five weeks. Due to the backlog of cases in the British legal system, defendants frequently have to wait between tendering a plea and going to trial. Mr. Brand, 49, is charged with two charges of sexual assault, one crime of oral rape, one count of rape, and one act of indecent assault. Four ladies are involved in those five charges. The episodes, according to the prosecution, took place between 1999 and 2005. One of them involves Mr. Brand allegedly raping a lady in a hotel room when she was attending a Labour Party political meeting. British comedian and actor Russell Brand (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) Wearing a dark gray suit and a striped shirt that opened to display his chest, Mr. Brand stood in a Plexiglas box at the back of the courtroom throughout the 10-minute session, which was attended by tens of journalists. He answered, "Not guilty," as each of the allegations was read out. News organizations are prohibited by British law from identifying anyone who accuses someone of sexual assault unless the accuser agrees to give up their right to anonymity. Strict regulations also prohibit the publishing of case-related material that can sway a jury during a trial once criminal procedures have begun. Mr. Brand had vehemently refuted every claim before Friday's hearing. He claimed to have been a "drug addict, a sex addict, and an imbecile" in a video he uploaded to social media in April, but he had "never engaged in nonconsensual activity." Mr. Brand has been a British celebrity for decades. He rose to stardom as a stand-up comedian and as a BBC and MTV radio and television host. He also became well-known in the US after the criminal trials ended because of his roles in popular films like 2008's "Forgetting Sarah Marshall." Additionally, he was temporarily wed to pop sensation Katy Perry. Mr. Brand's most well-known role these days is that of a politically charged YouTuber. With more than 11 million followers on X and more than 6.7 million subscribers to his channel, he frequently discusses religion, conspiracy theories, and conservative talking points in his videos.
Belfast Telegraph
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Chris Brown freed on bail by judge after ‘bottle attack' charge
The American musician, 36, an continue with his scheduled international tour this year, including in the UK in June and July, as part of his bail conditions, Judge Tony Baumgartner told Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday. Brown must pay a £5 million security fee to the court, which is a financial guarantee to ensure a defendant returns to court and may be forfeited if they breach bail conditions.
STV News
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- STV News
Chris Brown freed on bail by judge after ‘bottle attack' charge
R&B singer Chris Brown has been freed on bail after he was charged over an alleged bottle attack at a London nightclub two years ago. The American musician, 36, can continue with his scheduled international tour this year, including in the UK in June and July, as part of his bail conditions, Judge Tony Baumgartner told Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday. Brown must pay a £5 million security fee to the court, which is a financial guarantee to ensure a defendant returns to court and may be forfeited if they breach bail conditions. The Go Crazy singer is accused of causing grievous bodily harm to Abraham Diaw in February 2023. He did not appear in court for the bail application hearing. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Chris Brown freed on bail by judge after ‘bottle attack' charge
R&B singer Chris Brown has been freed on bail after he was charged over an alleged bottle attack at a London nightclub two years ago. The American musician, 36, can continue with his scheduled international tour this year, including in the UK in June and July, as part of his bail conditions, Judge Tony Baumgartner told Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday. Brown must pay a £5 million security fee to the court, which is a financial guarantee to ensure a defendant returns to court and may be forfeited if they breach bail conditions. The Go Crazy singer is accused of causing grievous bodily harm to Abraham Diaw in February 2023. He did not appear in court for the bail application hearing.
