Chris Brown appeared in Southwark Crown Court on Friday, dressed in a brown suit and dark-rimmed glasses, as he addressed two new charges related to an alleged attack with a tequila bottle at the Tape nightclub in Soho. The 36-year-old singer, known for hits such as "With You" and "Freaky Friday," is accused of causing actual bodily harm to music producer Abraham Diaw during an incident on February 19, 2023. Prosecutors described the attack as "unprovoked".
Brown's legal troubles expanded last month when these charges were added to an existing count of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH), to which he has also pleaded not guilty. The trial is scheduled for October 2026.
As he arrived at court, a small contingent of supporters cheered for the star, speaking words of encouragement as he entered and exited the courtroom. The altercation reportedly occurred while Diaw was at the bar, where Brown allegedly struck him multiple times with the bottle.
Following his arrest in May at a high-end hotel in Salford, Greater Manchester, Brown was held in custody for nearly a week before his release on a £5 million security fee—an assurance of his return to court. He is required to remain at a designated UK address and has surrendered his passport to comply with bail conditions. However, he has managed to participate in his Breezy Bowl XX world tour with a plan that allows him temporary possession of his passport for travel between shows.
In addition to Chris Brown, co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu, known professionally as HoodyBaby, has also pleaded not guilty to charges of causing actual bodily harm and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm. As the situation continues to unfold, Brown remains one of the most prominent figures in US R&B, boasting two Grammy Awards and an impressive catalog of hit songs.
