Chris Brown has pleaded not guilty to an alleged bottle attack at a London nightclub.
Today at Southwark Crown Court, the 36-year-old American singer entered a plea of not guilty regarding the charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to music producer Abraham Diaw in February 2023.
He appeared alongside his co-defendant, US national Omololu Akinlolu, 38, for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
Shortly after arriving in the UK on a private jet, the well-known R&B artist was taken into custody on May 15 by Metropolitan Police officers at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester.
Brown was then charged over an alleged assault at the Tape nightclub in Hanover Square in Mayfair on February 19, 2023.
On May 21, he was released from HMP Forest Bank in Salford, Greater Manchester, on a £5million bail agreement.
During a hearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court last month, it was revealed that Mr. Diaw was attacked with a bottle while he was at the bar of a popular London establishment.
He was then allegedly pursued to a separate area of the nightclub before being punched and kicked repeatedly while he lay on the floor.
American singer Chris Brown, 36, has pleaded not guilty to an alleged bottle attack at a London nightclub two years ago
At Southwark Crown Court this morning, the American singer, 36, pleaded not guilty to attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to music producer Abraham Diaw in February 2023
The popular R&B singer is accused of attempting to unlawfully and maliciously cause grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Diaw at the Tape venue in Hanover Square, Mayfair, on February 19, 2023
Prosecutor Hannah Nicholls previously described the incident as an ‘extremely serious’ attack that was caught on CCTV.
She said Mr Diaw was ‘struck with a bottle several times’ and ‘punched and kicked repeatedly’.
As part of Brown’s bail conditions, he must reside at a UK address and can also only access his passport when he needs to travel for a tour date.
Other bail conditions include not to attend the Tape nightclub or contact his co-accused, Dallas rapper Omolulu Akinlolu, 38, the complainant or any witnesses.
If found to be in breach of such conditions, Brown could be asked to forfeit the £5million.
Shortly after the singer was released on remand from prison, he posted a story to Instagram to his 144million followers that read: ‘From the cage to the stage!!!’, adding the word Breezbowl – the name of his tour.
The Go Crazy singer kicked off his Breezy Bowl XX tour on June 8, 2025 in Amsterdam before arriving in the UK to perform in Manchester on Sunday.
Speaking to a sold-out crowd at the Co-Op Live Arena, Brown thanked his fans for ‘coming and supporting me’, adding jokingly: ‘And thank you to the jail. It was really nice’.
Prosecutor Hannah Nicholls previously described the incident as an ‘extremely serious’ attack that was caught on CCTV. She said Mr Diaw was ‘struck with a bottle several times’ and ‘punched and kicked repeatedly’ (Pictured: Brown arrives at court this morning)
Pictured: Brown hid his face as he returned to perform in Manchester on Sunday, June 15, a month after being arrested in the city over an alleged nightclub bottle attack
The incident allegedly happened at Tape nightclub in London’s Mayfair in 2023. Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard last month that Mr Diaw was standing at the bar of the venue when he was struck several times with a bottle (file picture)
Brown, who was released on £5M bail, was shielded by staff behind a large white board while leaving the five star Lowry Hotel where he was detained in the early hours of May 15
Shortly after Brown was released from prison on remand last month, he posted an Instagram story to tell his 144million followers: ‘From the cage to the stage!!!’
Previously, Adele Kelly, deputy chief crown prosecutor for CPS London North, said: ‘We have authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Chris Brown with one count of grievous bodily harm, contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
‘The alleged incident occurred in London on February 19, 2023. He will have his first court appearance on Friday, May 16 at Manchester Magistrates’ Court.
‘The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.
‘It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.’
Just hours after flying into the UK on a private jet, the popular R&B singer was arrested at Manchester’s Lowry Hotel (pictured) on May 15 by Metropolitan Police detectives
As part of Brown’s bail conditions, he must reside at a UK address and can also only access his passport when he needs to travel for a tour date. Other bail conditions include not to attend the Tape nightclub or contact his co-accused, the complainant or any witnesses
Brown kicked off his Breezy Bowl XX tour on June 8, 2025 in Amsterdam before arriving in the UK to perform in Manchester on Sunday. Speaking to a sold-out crowd, Brown thanked his fans for ‘coming and supporting me’, jokingly adding: ‘And thank you to the jail. It was really nice’ (Pictured on stage in May)
Before the charge was made, a Metropolitan Police spokesman said: ‘A 36-year-old man was arrested at a hotel in Manchester shortly after 2am on Thursday, May 15 on suspicion of grievous bodily harm.
‘He has been taken into custody where he remains. The arrest relates to an incident at a venue in Hanover Square on February 19, 2023.
‘The investigation is being led by detectives from the Central West Area Basic Command Unit.’
