R&B singer Chris Brown has pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court to affray after a confrontation at a Mayfair club in 2023.
Earlier the singer was seen waving to supporters as he arrived at court for a hearing over an alleged bottle attack at London nightclub Tape.
The 37-year-old 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 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.
Wearing a tan suit, gold-rimmed sunglasses and a St Louis Cardinals baseball hat, Brown 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 included £5 million security fee
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.
It is said Mr Diaw was struck several times with a bottle before being kicked and punched several times after encountering Brown and his entourage at the venue’s Dirty Martini club night.
