R&B megastar Chris Brown has pleaded guilty to affray after a confrontation at a Mayfair club. The 37-year-old singer had been due to face a jury trial on October 26 after pleading not guilty – in June last year – to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against Abraham Diaw at the Tape venue, a private members’ club in Hanover Square, Mayfair, on February 19, 2023.
He also denied having an offensive weapon – a bottle – in a public place, as well as a charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm. These charges have now been discontinued and he will be sentenced on October 26 for the affray charge.
Co-defendant also pleads guilty
He was charged along with his vocal coach, Omololu Akinlolu, 40, who had also denied assault occasioning actual bodily harm and has now pleaded guilty to affray. He will be sentenced on the same date.
On Friday, Brown returned to Southwark Crown Court for a case management hearing in front of His Honour Judge Tony Baumgartner.
Prosecutor condemns attack
Claire Campbell, Senior Crown Prosecutor, said: “This was a vicious and unprovoked attack by Brown and Akinlolu in a crowded nightclub where Brown used a glass bottle as a weapon to strike the victim’s head twice. “This kind of violence is entirely unacceptable, and the Crown Prosecution Service will work tirelessly - with the police and partners across the criminal justice system - to pursue cases like this, and prove that no one is above the law.”
Brown, wearing a tan suit, gold-rimmed sunglasses and a St Louis Cardinals baseball hat, was flanked by security guards as he arrived at court, where a small group of fans had gathered. The American singer-songwriter waved to fans as he arrived on a sunny morning in the capital with security guards and police officers stationed outside the central London court.
Fans played the artist’s music and shouted his name, with one saying “I love you Chris”, as others held signs.
Bail conditions
At earlier hearings, Brown was ordered to pay a £5 million security fee as part of his bail conditions, which also allowed him to go on a world tour as long as he surrendered his passport on arrival in each country. He was released on bail again on Friday.
Brown is behind a string of massive hits over a career spanning more than two decades, including the Grammy-nominated No Guidance, Under The Influence, and Loyal.
