Chris Brown denies further London bottle attack charges
He's appeared at Southwark Crown Court ahead of his trial later this year.
Last updated 11th Jul 2025
R&B singer Chris Brown has denied further charges over an alleged bottle attack at a London nightclub.
The American musician, 36, pleaded not guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm to 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.
Brown denied the more serious charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm at a previous hearing.
His co-defendant, US national Omololu Akinlolu, 39, also denied assault occasioning actual bodily harm on Friday.
They sat side-by-side in the dock, looking straight ahead during the hearing at Southwark Crown Court.
Fans in court
Around 20 fans sat in the public gallery behind the dock, with several gasping as the singer walked into court.
Brown turned to face his supporters at the end of the hearing, waving and blowing them a kiss.
"I love you Chris," one of them said.
A date for a five to seven-day trial has been set for October 26 2026.
Continuing with his tour
The two-time Grammy award winner, who's hits including Run It! and Go Crazy, has managed to press on with his scheduled international tour despite his legal battle.
He is on conditional bail and performed in Cardiff in June as part of a stadium tour which was billed as a celebration of the past 20 years of his career.
He had to pay a £5 million security fee to the court as part of the bail agreement, which is a financial guarantee to ensure a defendant returns to court and may be forfeited if they breach bail conditions.
At his last court appearance, his defence counsel Sallie Bennett-Jenkins KC told the hearing it had been difficult to discuss matters with her client while he is working.
Manchester Magistrates' Court previously heard that Mr Diaw was standing at the bar of the Tape nightclub when he was struck several times with a bottle, and then pursued to a separate area of the nightclub where he was punched and kicked repeatedly.
May arrest
Brown was arrested at Manchester's Lowry Hotel at 2am on May 15 by detectives from the Metropolitan Police.
He is said to have flown into Manchester Airport on a private jet in preparation for the UK tour dates.
Brown was released from HMP Forest Bank in Salford, Greater Manchester, on May 21.
Shortly after being released from prison, Brown posted an Instagram story referencing his upcoming tour which said "FROM THE CAGE TO THE STAGE!!! BREEZYBOWL."