American singer Chris Brown has pleaded guilty to affray over an unprovoked attack on a music producer at a private members' club in London. Brown, 35, admitted the charge at Southwark Crown Court on Friday in relation to the incident at the Tape club in Hanover Square, Mayfair, in February 2023.
Prosecutors said Brown struck Abraham Diaw twice over the head with a glass bottle during the attack, which took place after Brown had performed in Cardiff. His co-defendant, vocal coach Omololu Akinlolu, also pleaded guilty to affray; he was said to have joined in by punching the victim and kicking him while he was on the floor. Diaw was treated at St Mary's hospital for head and knee injuries.
More serious charges of assault and possessing an offensive weapon were dropped following the guilty pleas. The Crown Prosecution Service said the attack was “vicious and unprovoked” and occurred in a crowded nightclub, with Brown using a glass bottle as a weapon. Senior crown prosecutor Claire Campbell said the case showed that “no one is above the law”.
Brown was arrested on 15 May 2025 at the Lowry hotel in Manchester, where he had arrived by private jet for UK tour dates. He spent six days in Forest Bank prison before being released on bail. As part of his bail conditions, he paid a £5m security fee and was permitted to continue his world tour provided he surrendered his passport in each country.
The singer appeared in court wearing a tan suit, gold-rimmed sunglasses and a St Louis Cardinals baseball hat. He will be sentenced in October. Brown has a history of legal trouble, including a 2009 conviction for assaulting his then-girlfriend, singer Rihanna, for which he received five years' probation and community labour.
