Chris Brown pleads not guilty over bottle attack in London nightclub

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Singer Chris Brown has pleaded not guilty in court after being accused of hitting a producer ‘several times’ with a bottle.

The R&B star was accused of causing grievous bodily harm to producer Abraham Diaw after an alleged bottle attack in the London nightclub, Tape, in February 2023.

Diaw was standing at the bar when he was allegedly struck several times with a bottle and was then pursued to a different part of the venue, where he was punched and kicked.

Brown arrived at Southwark Crown Court in London at 9am, and it was later announced that he had pleaded not guilty to the alleged attack.

He confirmed his name and date of birth before telling the court his plea was: ‘Not guilty ma’am.’

A date for a trial lasting five to seven days has been set for October 26, 2026.

Chris Brown has arrived at court in London (Picture: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire) Brown was seen wearing a navy three-piece suit (Picture: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire) Brown and Omololu Akinlolu were sketched by the court artist (Picture: Elizabeth Cook/PA Wire)

The 36-year-old appeared alongside Omololu Akinlolu, 38, his co-defendant, who also denied the same charge.

Both Akinlolu and Brown have been charged with assault and occasioning actual bodily harm. Brown is additionally facing one count of having an offensive weapon (the bottle) in a public place.

The pleas for these charges were not heard at this court date, with a further hearing scheduled for July 11.

The Kiss Kiss singer is currently on his international tour, with UK tour dates taking place just before this plea hearing.

He was freed on a conditional bail last month and performed in Cardiff on Thursday night.

Chris Brown's UK and Ireland dates

June 15 Manchester – Co-op Live

June 16 Manchester – Co-op Live

June 19 Cardiff – Principality Stadium

June 21 London – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

June 22 London – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

June 24 Manchester – Co-op Live

June 26 Birmingham – Villa Park

June 28 Dublin – Marlay Park

July 1 Glasgow – Hampden Park National Stadium

July 3 Manchester – Co-op Live

He was released from prison last month after a second bail application was successful, having previously been detained and charged over the alleged 2023 attack.

Brown was staying at the five-star Lowry Hotel when police came to arrest him on May 15.

A week later, on May 21, Southwark Crown Court heard that he had been released from HMP Forest Bank in Salford, Greater Manchester, under bail conditions and ordered to pay a security fee of £5 million guaranteeing his return.

The sum fee is a financial guarantee ensuring a defendant returns to court, which may be forfeited if they breach bail conditions.

Brown is set to perform at London Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday and Sunday (Picture: CARLOS JASSO/AFP via Getty Images) Brown looked down as he arrived (Picture: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire) The singer is in the UK for his tour (Picture: Scott Legato/Getty Images)

not Chris Brown thanking Manchester for the jail ???????? ???????????????? (@hwloiza) June 15, 2025

While in Manchester last weekend, the artist made reference to his upcoming court date.

‘I just want to tell you all, I love you all to death, I am so thankful that I could come out here tonight,’ he told the crowd.

‘Thank you all for having me and supporting me, and thank you to the jail, y’all was really nice,’ he said at the Breezy Bowl XX tour to the Co-op Live Arena on Sunday, June 15.

He is expected to return to the stage on June 21 to continue his tour at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

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