R&B star Chris Brown has pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault stemming from an alleged bottle attack at a London nightclub in 2023. The Grammy-winning singer appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Friday, just hours after performing in Cardiff, Wales, as part of his ongoing U.K. tour.
The case revolves around a February 2023 incident at a Mayfair nightclub, where Brown is accused of attacking music producer Abraham Diaw. Prosecutors claim Brown attempted to cause grievous bodily harm during the altercation. He entered a formal plea denying the charge.
In a twist ahead of Friday’s hearing, two additional charges were introduced: one for assault occasioning actual bodily harm and another for possession of an offensive weapon. However, the judge postponed Brown’s arraignment on those counts until July 11.
Brown isn’t facing the charges alone. Fellow musician Omolulu Akinlolu, known by his stage name HoodyBaby, is also charged with grievous bodily harm in connection with the same incident. He too pleaded not guilty.
The trial is set to begin on October 26, 2026.
Brown was arrested in Manchester last month upon entering the U.K. and spent nearly a week in custody. He was released after posting a staggering £5 million (approximately $6.4 million) bond. As part of his bail conditions, he has surrendered his passport, is required to live at a designated U.K. address, and must return to court as scheduled. Nevertheless, he has been granted permission to travel abroad for pre-approved tour dates.
During his Manchester concert last Sunday, Brown made a brief, if cryptic, reference to his jail stint. “Thank you to the jail,” he quipped from the stage. “It was really nice.”
The 35-year-old artist is slated to perform at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London this weekend, as his tour continues.
