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Chris Brown pleaded not guilty to assault charges on Friday related to an alleged bottle attack at a London nightclub two years ago. The US singer, 36, is accused of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) to music producer Abraham Diaw in what prosecutors call an "unprovoked" incident. He also faces charges for assault and possessing an offensive weapon – a tequila bottle – which were added to his indictment ahead of the hearing.
The judge adjourned arraignment on those two counts, meaning Brown will not have to enter a plea until 11 July. He will face trial for GBH on 26 October, 2026.
The US singer appeared at Southwark Crown Court to deny the charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, hours after playing to thousands of fans at Cardiff's Principality Stadium.
He confirmed his name and date of birth, 5 May 1989, before the judge asked for his plea on the charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm. "Not guilty, ma'am," Brown replied.
Brown's co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu, a 39-year-old American who performs under the name HoodyBaby, also entered a not guilty plea to the charge of attempted grievous bodily harm.
Brown was arrested at the five-star Lowry hotel in Salford, Greater Manchester, last month, after arriving in the UK to prepare for a string of European tour dates. He 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 conditions. Under those conditions, Mr Brown must live at an address in the UK while awaiting trial, and was ordered to surrender his passport to police.
However, 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 gigs.
The first date took place in Amsterdam on 8 June, and the UK leg kicked off last weekend.
Outlining the case against him last month, prosecutors said the alleged victim, Abraham Diaw, was standing at the bar of Soho's Tape nightclub on 19 February 2023 when Mr Brown launched an "unprovoked attack" in which the complainant was struck several times with a bottle.
She said: "The defendant then pursued him to a separate area of the nightclub where the victim was punched and kicked repeatedly by him and another."
