Chris Brown is seen for the first time since being released on £5million bail over alleged nightclub bottle attack - as fans rush to greet R&B star
American singer Chris Brown has been seen for the first time after being released on a £5million bail after an alleged bottle attack in a London nightclub.
With bleached blonde hair, the R&B superstar, 36, left prison in a Mercedes van alongside his girlfriend and his entourage.
The group could be seen waiting outside HMP Forest Bank in Salford, Greater Manchester, before he was released - complete with a film camera and a large bag of McDonalds.
Shortly after he was released, a story was added to the musician's social media - telling his 144million followers: 'From the cage to the stage!!!' It added the word Breezybowl - the name of his tour.
Brown's passport will be held by lawyers and police until he needs it in an arrangement that will allow him to fulfil tour dates in Europe, the US and Canada, a court heard.
The was arrested in Manchester last Thursday then charged over an alleged bottle attack at a nightclub in the capital in 2023.
The Go Crazy singer had flown in on a private jet hours earlier and was staying at the five-star Lowry Hotel in Salford when police swooped to arrest him.
Brown was charged with causing grievous bodily harm to music producer Abe Diaw during the alleged assault at the Tape club in Mayfair in February 2023.
The conditions of his bail mean that he must reside at an address in the UK and can only access his passport when he needed to travel for a tour date, Heidi Stonecliffe KC, prosecuting, said.
Two-time Grammy winner Brown - who did not appear in court for today's bail application hearing - is set to kick off his 20-year anniversary tour next month.
He had planned gigs in Europe on June 8, 11 and 13 - with ten dates scheduled across Britain and Ireland from June 15, before further dates in the US.
Ms Stonecliffe told Southwark Crown Court his passport would be held by the police until his international dates, then it would be collected by a solicitor from law firm Hickman & Rose, before being returned to Brown so he can travel to the US.
He wore a dark hat and sweatshirt as he was driven away from HMP Forest Bank in Salford, Greater Manchester
The silver van left the prison after Brown agreed to 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
Shortly after he was released, a story was added to the musician's social media - saying: 'From the cage to the stage!!!' It added the word Breezybowl - the name of his tour.
'The passport is to then be lodged with a US lawyer named Mr Matthew Cayman. We have checked his details and he does exist,' Ms Stonecliffe said.
'It will be held by Mr Cayman until August.
'Then Mr Brown travels to Canada.
'It will be held by Mr Cayman during his US tour then Mr Brown returns to the UK and his passport will then be held by a solicitor.
'What we then propose is that we have a further case management hearing on October 24.'
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.
Before agreeing to the conditions, judge Tony Baumgartner said he needed some more information about Brown's net worth.
'The one concern I have is the defendant leaving the jurisdiction then returning to the jurisdiction,' he said.
'What I don't have is any feel for the defendant's net worth and how the security stands against that.
'It might be a lot of money to him or not a lot of money to him.'
Sallie Bennett-Jenkins KC, said that during a break in proceedings she had been 'waking up a lot of people across the west coast of America' to establish Brown's net worth.
It comes as Brown's girlfriend, Diamond Brown, was spotted arriving outside HMP Forest Bank, where the singer is believed to have been held ahead of his bail hearing.
Model Diamond, who has the same surname but is not related or married to the defendant, is the mother of Brown's youngest child, Lovely. She appeared to have been accompanied by a number of other people thought to be part of the American singer's entourage.
The group could be seen to have picked up a McDonald's order as they arrived at the prison
Brown is claimed to have injured music producer Mr Diaw in an unprovoked attack when the singer and his entourage were at a club night called 'Dirty Martini'.
The producer previously alleged Brown hit him over the head with a bottle two or three times and then punched and kicked him as he lay on the floor.
Prosecutor Hannah Nicholls previously told Manchester Magistrates' Court the incident was 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'.
Before today's latest hearing, 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.'
The incident allegedly happened at Tape nightclub in London's Mayfair in 2023 (file picture)
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.'
It was initially understood that the arrest had been made by the Metropolitan Police.
But a Greater Manchester Police spokesperson clarified: 'This morning (Thursday) we arrested a 36-year-old man at a hotel in Manchester on suspicion of grievous bodily harm on behalf of the Metropolitan Police.'
Brown rose to fame at a young age with his rich R&B voice and later rap, and was also known for having a relationship with fellow music star Rihanna.
He released his debut album Chris Brown in 2005 and has since released a further ten studio albums and 64 singles.
Some of his biggest hits have included Run It!, Yo (Excuse Me Miss) and No Air, a collaboration with Jordin Sparks.
Brown will next appear in court on June 20, alongside American co-defendant, Akinlolu.
A case management hearing has been set for October 24.
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