Latest news with #bottleattack
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
'Brutal bottle attack' on priest in church before mass 'may be linked to murder fewer than two miles away', police say
A bottle attack on a priest before mass may be linked to a nearby murder, police have said. Police received a report that a man was found dead at an address in the Marian Park area of Downpatrick at about 12pm on Sunday. A man, 30, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is in police custody. Earlier today a priest was rushed to hospital after he was 'bottled by a man who walked into church before mass'. Father John Murray was hit on the head at St Patrick's Church in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland, today. Police chiefs have said today that the incidents, just 1.3 miles away from each other and just under two hours apart, may be linked. In a statement, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said the priest was in a 'serious condition' in hospital after what has been described by detectives as a 'brutal attack'. Fr Murray was believed to have been preparing for one of his last Masses before retiring when the attack took place in the church's sacristy at 10.10am. Superintendent Norman Haslett, district commander for Newry, Mourne and Down, said officers suspect that the murder investigation may be linked to the attack on the priest. 'Inquiries are at an early stage and, at this time, we suspect this may be connected to a serious assault in the St Patrick's Avenue area of Downpatrick on Sunday,' he said. 'I am appealing to anyone who believes they may have information which could assist us with our investigation to contact us on 101 quoting reference number 713 of August 10 2025.' A PSNI spokesperson said: 'It was reported to police at around 10.10am on Sunday, 10th August that a man had walked into the church on St Patrick's Avenue and hit the priest on his head with a bottle before leaving. 'The victim was taken to hospital for treatment of a head injury, where he remains in a serious condition.' Detective Chief Inspector McBurney said: 'This was a completely shocking and brutal attack and has left the priest with a serious head injury. 'Our enquiries are ongoing into this incident, and we are appealing to anyone who witnessed the assault, or has any information to contact Police on 101 and quoting reference 543 of 10/08/25.' The St MacNissi's Parish, in Larne, said Fr Murray had been taken to the Royal Victoria hospital for surgery. Writing on Facebook, a post read: 'Please remember Fr Murray, retiring Parish Priest of Downpatrick who was the subject of an incident this morning in St Patrick's Church, Downpatrick which left him requiring medical care. 'Pray for his speedy recovery both physically and emotionally from this frightening incident.' Sinn Fein MP Chris Hazzard said in a Facebook post that he was left 'shocked and saddened to hear the news' about Ft Murray's attack. 'My thoughts and prayers are with him, and I wish him a full and speedy recovery,' he wrote. 'This cowardly attack is completely unacceptable and I condemn it unequivocally. I urge anyone with information to contact the police.' Cathy Mason, member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, said she was 'horrified'. 'The attack on Father Murray in St Patrick's Church, Downpatrick, this morning is deeply shocking,' she wrote on her Facebook page. 'No one should ever face violence, least of all in a place of worship. This was a shameful act and must be condemned outright. 'My thoughts are with Father Murray and I hope he makes a swift and full recovery.' A post on the Downpatrick Family of Parishes thanked people for their prayers and well wishes. 'Parishioners will be aware of an incident in St Patrick's Church earlier today. Fr Murray is currently receiving medical treatment,' it read. DUP MLA for South Down Diane Forsythe condemned the 'shocking and disgraceful attack on a religious leader in a place of worship'. Of the two incidents, she said: 'There is no place for violent attacks in our society. 'My thoughts and prayers are with the entire community as they process this devastating murder as well as the serious assault earlier today.' Alliance South Down MLA Andrew McMurray said the 'heartbreaking' incidents had left many in the local community 'in shock on what should be a day of peace and rest'. 'First and foremost, my thoughts and sympathies are with the family, friends, and loved ones of the two victims of today's attacks, as well as anyone who's been impacted. 'I want to wish Fr Murray all the best for a hopefully speedy recovery. 'I also want to extend my thanks to the local PSNI officers who acted swiftly and professionally in dealing with the incidents, under what will have been difficult and distressing circumstances. 'Tonight, I will be standing alongside the people of Downpatrick at a special prayer service in response to today's events, and in honour of the victims and their families.' Anyone with information is urged to bring it to the attention of police by calling 101 and quoting reference 543 of 10/08/25 for the assault on the priest, or 713 of 10/08/25 for the murder inquiry. People can also submit a report on the PSNI website or anonymously through Crimestoppers.
BBC News
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Chris Brown in court to face more assault charges
US singer Chris Brown has arrived at a court in London to enter a plea over two charges relating to an alleged bottle attack at a London nightclub two years 36-year-old star is accused of causing actual bodily harm to a music producer during an incident that prosecutors have described as "unprovoked".He is also charged with having an offensive weapon - namely a tequila two charges were added last month to the original charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH), to which Brown has already pleaded not guilty. The singer will face trial in October 2026. The singer arrived at Southwark Crown Court for the latest plea hearing shortly before 09:00 BST on have previously said the alleged victim, Abraham Diaw, was standing at the bar of Soho's Tape nightclub on 19 February 2023 when Mr Brown struck him several times with a singer was arrested at the five-star Lowry hotel in Salford, Greater Manchester, last month, after returning to the UK to prepare for a European was held in custody for almost a week, before being released after agreeing to pay a £5m security fee to the court.A security fee is a financial guarantee to ensure a defendant returns to court. Mr Brown could be asked to forfeit the money if he breaches bail those conditions, Mr Brown must live at an address in the UK while awaiting trial, and was ordered to surrender his passport to a plan was put in place allowing him to honour his Breezy Bowl XX world tour dates by surrendering his passport but getting it back when he needs to travel to the first date took place in Amsterdam on 8 June, before a string of stadium and arena shows across the UK and Brown is one of the biggest stars in US R&B, with two Grammy Awards, and 19 top 10 singles in the UK - including hits like Turn Up The Music, Freaky Friday, With You and Don't Wake Me co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu, a 39-year-old American who performs under the name HoodyBaby, also entered a not guilty plea last month to the charge of attempted grievous bodily harm.
Daily Mail
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Chris Brown arrives at court as he faces trial for 'attacking victim with a bottle' in private Mayfair club
R&B singer Chris Brown is has arrived at court over an alleged bottle attack at a London nightclub. Last month the 36-year-old US musician pleaded not guilty to attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent to Abraham Diaw at the Tape venue, a private members' club in Hanover Square, Mayfair, on February 19 2023. Brown arrived at London's Southwark Crown this morning for a plea hearing amid preparations for his trial which is set for October. The American star, dressed in a brown suit, and red and white tie, was strode past the scrum of media packed outside the law court. His co-defendant, US national Omololu Akinlolu, 39, has also pleaded not guilty to attempting to cause grievous bodily harm. Both men are further charged with assaulting Mr Diaw occasioning him actual bodily harm, with Brown also facing one count of having an offensive weapon, a bottle, in a public place. The two-time Grammy award winner, which hits including Run It! and Go Crazy, has managed to press on 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 £5million 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 defence 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 that 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.'
The Independent
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Chris Brown due to appear in court over alleged ‘bottle attack' charge
R&B singer Chris Brown is due to appear in court over an alleged bottle attack at a London nightclub. Last month the 36 year-old US musician pleaded not guilty to attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent to Abraham Diaw at the Tape venue, a private members' club in Hanover Square, Mayfair, on February 19 2023. On Friday, Brown is due to make another appearance at London's Southwark Crown for a plea hearing amid preparations for his trial which is set for October. His co-defendant, US national Omololu Akinlolu, 39, has also pleaded not guilty to attempting to cause grievous bodily harm. Both men are further charged with assaulting Mr Diaw occasioning him actual bodily harm, with Brown also facing one count of having an offensive weapon, a bottle, in a public place. The two-time Grammy award winner, which hits including Run It! and Go Crazy, has managed to press on 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 £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. At his last court appearance, his defence 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 that 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.'
BreakingNews.ie
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Chris Brown pleads not guilty to ‘bottle attack' charge
R&B singer Chris Brown has pleaded not guilty to attempting to cause grievous bodily harm in an alleged bottle attack at a London nightclub. The American musician, 36, is accused of attempting to unlawfully and maliciously cause grievous bodily harm with intent to Abraham Diaw at the Tape venue, a private members' club in Hanover Square, Mayfair, on February 19th, 2023. Advertisement Brown confirmed his name and date of birth before entering his plea, saying: 'Not guilty ma'am' during the plea and trial preparation hearing at Southwark Crown Court. His co-defendant, US national Omololu Akinlolu, who turned 39 on Friday, denied the same charge. Both defendants are further charged with assaulting Mr Diaw occasioning him actual bodily harm, with Brown also facing one count of having an offensive weapon – a bottle – in a public place. They were not asked to enter pleas to those charges with a further court hearing set for July 11. Advertisement US national Omololu Akinlolu, 38, leaves Southwark Crown Court (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Sallie Bennett-Jenkins KC, defending Brown, told the court it has been difficult to discuss matters with her client while he is working. Around 20 people sat in the public gallery behind the dock for Friday's hearing, many of them fans of the singer. A date for a five to seven-day trial was set for October 26th, 2026. Brown had arrived at around 9am to a large group of photographers outside court, and walked in silence to the building's entrance. Advertisement The singer walked past a large group of photographers (Jonathan Brady/PA) The Go Crazy singer, who was able to continue with his scheduled international tour after he was freed on conditional bail last month, performed in Cardiff on Thursday night. He 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. 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 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. Advertisement 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 21st. Shortly after being released from prison, Brown posted an Instagram story referencing his upcoming tour. It said: 'FROM THE CAGE TO THE STAGE!!! BREEZYBOWL.' Advertisement
