R&B singer Chris Brown has been sentenced for affray following a bottle attack at a London nightclub that a judge described as “vicious and unprovoked.” The 37-year-old appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Monday morning, accompanied by security guards.
Brown was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months. His vocal coach, Omololu Akinlolu, 40, who also took part in the attack, received a four-month sentence, also suspended for 12 months. Both men were ordered to pay £1,500 costs.
Details of the Attack
CCTV footage shown in court depicted Brown striking Abraham Diaw four times with a bottle, connecting twice with his head and once with his shoulder. Prosecutor Heidi Stonecliffe KC told the court that Brown used a “heavy square shaped tequila bottle” to hit Mr Diaw twice over the left side of his head, and then continued with further blows as Mr Diaw turned away.
Ms Stonecliffe said that Akinlolu then grabbed Mr Diaw in a “bear hug,” causing him to fall to the ground, and that Brown was also seen throwing punches. The incident lasted around 20 seconds and began at around 3am.
Judge's Remarks
Judge Tony Baumgartner described the attack as “plainly dangerous” and warned that “commercial success does not attract preferential treatment” in court. He noted that the repeated use of a glass bottle, “especially aimed at the head, was plainly dangerous, it carried the risk of delivering a more serious injury than was ultimately sustained.”
Brown, who wore a cap, black leather jacket, and face mask, sat looking at the floor in the dock for much of the hearing. A few fans could be heard cheering as he arrived at the court.
