Chris Brown has pleaded guilty to ‘affray’ after appearing in court over an alleged bottle attack that took place at a Mayfair club in 2023.
The R&B singer attended a case management hearing at Southwark Crown Court today, waving to his supporters as he arrived at the court in London.
In July last year, the 37-year-old denied all of the charges made against him, declaring: ‘Not guilty ma’am’ as he attended a plea hearing.
However, he has now pleaded guilty to ‘affray’ following the allegation that he attacked a former friend of his at the Tape private members’ club in Mayfair in 2023.
Brown, whose jury trial is due to take place on October 26, was previously charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm against Abraham Diaw. He pleaded not guilty to the charge in June last year.
He also denied the charge of having an offensive weapon (the bottle) in a public place, and the charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm.
Brown’s vocal coach Omololu Akinlolu also denied the charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
On Friday, three charges were dropped – the charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against Diaw, the charge of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and the charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm.
Brown will be sentenced on the affray charge on October 26.
In UK law, a person is found guilty of affray ‘if he uses or threatens unlawful violence towards another and his conduct is such as would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at the scene to fear for his personal safety’.
The legislation also states: ‘A person guilty of affray is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or a fine or both, or on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or both.’
Following today’s hearing, Detective Constable Zara Ripamonti said: ‘This was a disgraceful, unprovoked assault that put a man in hospital.
‘There is no place for serious violence like this in London and I’m pleased these men accepted what they did wasn’t just completely unacceptable – but criminal.
‘This has been a long investigation and we’ve worked with police colleagues in the UK to bring these two men to justice.’
Claire Campbell, Senior Crown Prosecutor in CPS London South, 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.’
At earlier hearings, Brown was ordered to pay a £5 million security fee as part of his bail conditions.
He had to surrender his passport when he entered any country, but he was allowed to continue performing in his world tour.
He was released on bail again on Friday.