6 days ago
Chris Brown arrives for plea hearing over alleged bottle attack at a London nightclub
denied a further assault charge on Friday relating to his alleged tequila bottle attack at a London nightclub.
The singer, 36, allegedly assaulted music producer Abraham Diaw at the Tape club in Hanover Square, Mayfair on 19 February 2023.
He also denied having an offensive weapon - namely a tequila bottle - in a public place during the short hearing at Southwark Crown Court.
Brown denied the more serious charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm at a previous hearing.
He arrived at London's Southwark Crown for a plea hearing amid preparations for his trial which is set for October 26, 2026.
Brown turned to face his supporters at the end of the hearing, waving and blowing them a kiss.
'I love you Chris,' one of them said.
Brown's co-defendant, U.S. national Omololu Akinlolu, 39, has also pleaded not guilty to attempting to cause grievous bodily harm. Akinlolu arrived at court wearing a cream-colored jacket and trousers.
Two-time Grammy award winner Brown, who hits including Run It! and Go Crazy, has managed to continue with his scheduled international tour despite his legal battle.
He is on conditional bail and performed in Cardiff in June as part of a stadium tour which was billed as a celebration of the past 20 years of his career.
He had to pay a $6.8million 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.
At his last court appearance, his defense counsel Sallie Bennett-Jenkins KC told the hearing it had been difficult to discuss matters with her client while he is working.
Manchester Magistrates' Court previously heard Mr Diaw was standing at the bar of the Tape nightclub when he was struck several times with a bottle, and 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 which said 'FROM THE CAGE TO THE STAGE!!! BREEZYBOWL.'
As part of Brown's bail conditions, he must live and sleep at an address that the court will be notified of and surrender his passport.
He must not contact either Akinlolu or Mr Diaw and cannot attend the Tape nightclub.
If he breaches any bail condition he could be liable to forfeit the security.
Brown will not be allowed to leave the jurisdiction of England and Wales after 23 October, according to the conditions.
He must also not go within 100 meters of any international travel hubs.
Brown and Akinlolu face a week long trial on 26 October next year.
If he breaches any bail condition he could be liable to forfeit the security.
Brown will not be allowed to leave the jurisdiction of England and Wales after 23 October, according to the conditions.
Brown and Akinlolu face a week long trial on October 26 next year.
