Music correspondent
Southwark Crown Court correspondent
American singer Chris Brown pleaded not guilty to the assault charges after a bottle attack in a London nightclub two years ago.
The 36-year-old is accused of trying to cause serious bodily harm (GBH) to music producer Abraham Diaw in the incident that the prosecutor said.
Brown also faces allegations of attack, causing actual physical damage and possessing offensive weapons – i.e. tequila bottles. Both are related to the same incident and were added to his indictment ahead of Friday’s hearing.
The judge adjourned the two charges to be tried, meaning Brown would not have to issue a defense until July 11. He will face trial by GBH on October 26, 2026.
Julia QuenzlerThe American singer appeared at Southwark Crown Court to deny allegations of trying to cause serious bodily harm, hours after thousands of fans at Cardiff Principality Stadium.
The musician, wearing a marine blue suit and black glasses, remained silent as he walked past a large group of photographers as he arrived at the court on Friday morning.
Five to six fans provided support outside the courtroom. More crowded into the court to watch the proceedings.
After picking up the dock, Brown smiled and blinked in the courtroom, while waiting for the arrival of Honorary Justice Baumgartner.
On May 5, 1989, he confirmed his name and date of birth, and then the judge demanded that the lawsuit seek to cause serious bodily harm. “No sin, ma’am,” Brown replied.
Brown’s co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu, a 39-year-old American who performed under a deceptive name, was also innocent of the serious physical harm he had suffered.
PA Media
ReutersBrown was arrested last month after arriving in the UK at the five-star Lowry Hotel in Salford, Greater Manchester to prepare for a series of European tours.
He was detained for nearly a week before agreeing to pay a £5 million security fee to the court.
Safety fees are financial guarantees to ensure that the defendant returns to the court. If Brown violates bail conditions, he may be asked to confiscate the money.
Under these conditions, Mr Brown must live at an address in the UK while awaiting trial and be ordered to hand over his passport to the police.
However, a plan was developed that would allow him to honor his relaxed bowl of XX World Tour by surrendering his passport, but to restore it when it is necessary to attend the show.
The first date took place in Amsterdam on June 8, with the British legs beginning last weekend.
On his first night in Manchester on Sunday, he thanked his fans for “coming to support me”.
He joked, “Thank you for your prison.” “It’s really good.”
Getty ImagesMr Brown is one of the biggest stars in the US R&B and won two Grammy Awards, winning 19 top 10 singles in the UK – including hits like “Start Music”, “Freaky Friday”, being with you, don’t wake me up.
Last week, he won the Best Male R&B/Pop Singer Award at the BET Awards in Los Angeles.
His latest tour is a former partner of pop star Rihanna, celebrating the 20th anniversary of his debut album of the same name.
Prosecutors outlining the case against him said the alleged victim, Abraham Diaw, stood at the bar at Soho’s tape nightclub on February 19, 2023, when Mr Brown launched a “unreasonable attack” in which the complainant shot several times with a bottle.
“The defendant then chased him to a separate area of the nightclub, where the victim was beaten by him and another person and kicked repeatedly,” she said.
Brown will hold two dates this weekend at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
His next hearing will take place once the European tour is over.
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