American R&B singer Chris Brown appeared in a London court on Friday and pleaded not guilty to a charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, stemming from an alleged nightclub assault in the UK capital in 2023.
The 36-year-old artist, dressed in a dark suit, tie, and glasses, stood in the dock as the charge was read to him. “Not guilty, ma’am,” he responded. Brown, who is currently on a £5 million ($6.7 million) bail, acknowledged supporters in the public gallery as he exited the courtroom.
The charge relates to an incident at a nightclub in Hanover Square, London, on February 19, 2023, during a UK tour. Prosecutors allege that the victim, Abraham Diah, was struck multiple times with a bottle before being pursued, punched, and kicked.
Brown was arrested in Manchester on May 13, 2025, after arriving in the UK by private jet. He was held in custody for nearly a week before being granted bail. As part of his bail conditions, he must reside at a court-approved address, avoid contact with the alleged victim, and refrain from visiting the nightclub where the incident reportedly occurred.
Co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu, also a U.S. national, appeared alongside Brown and entered a not guilty plea to the same charge. Both men also face additional charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, while Brown faces a third count for allegedly possessing an offensive weapon—identified as a bottle—in public.
Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, the court has permitted Brown to continue with his international concert tour. The UK leg includes a scheduled performance in London on Saturday, followed by shows in France, Portugal, and the United States, with the tour set to conclude in Memphis by mid-October.
Brown, who rose to fame in the mid-2000s with chart-topping hits like “Kiss Kiss”, has long faced public scrutiny due to past legal troubles, including a highly publicized domestic violence case involving singer Rihanna. While he has remained a prominent figure in the global music scene, his career has frequently been marred by controversy.
