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Star in court after club ‘bottle attack’

Chris Brown has arrived in court, accused of assaulting a music producer while flanked by a gaggle of adoring fans.

The US R & B star, wearing a brown checked suit, red striped tie and shades, is set to enter further pleas ahead of a trial set for next year.

He looked stony-faced as he arrived at the London court this morning ahead of a short trial preparation hearing.

More than a dozen loyal female supporters queued up outside the courtroom on Friday morning to get a spot in the public gallery ahead of the trial starting at 10.30am.

The star has previously pleaded not guilty to striking Abe Diaw with a bottle at a London nightclub in February 2023.

Co-defendant, US national Omololu Akinlolu, 39, has also pleaded not guilty to attempting to cause grievous bodily harm.

The pair are also both charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm against Mr Diaw. Brown faces another charge of possessing an offensive weapon – a bottle – in a public place.

They are expected to enter pleas for those charges at Southwark Crown Court today.

 

Chris Brown has arrived in court, accused of assaulting a music producer while flanked by a gaggle of adoring fans. Picture: Leon Neal/Getty Images
Chris Brown has arrived in court, accused of assaulting a music producer while flanked by a gaggle of adoring fans. Picture: Leon Neal/Getty Images

 

His lawyer, Sallie Bennett-Jenkins KC, has previously suggested that he would dispute the charges on self-defence grounds.

The alleged attack took place in a nightclub called Tape in Mayfair, central London.

Brown has just finished a string of UK gigs despite the ongoing court proceedings – with the US leg of his tour set to kick off at the end of the month.

Judge Baumgartner previously bailed both defendants and set a five to seven day trial for October 26, 2026.

Brown was arrested at the five-star Lowry Hotel in Manchester after flying into the city on a private jet.

It comes after Brown was freed on bail after paying a £5million security fee to the court.

The two-time Grammy-winner, who is performing a string of UK gigs, later posted on Instagram: “From the cage to the stage!”

The court heard previously that Brown is alleged to have struck Abe Diaw “several times” with a bottle before chasing him across the bar.

He is then accused of punching and kicking him alongside his co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu.

 

The court heard previously that Brown is alleged to have struck Abe Diaw “several times” with a bottle before chasing him across the bar. (James Manning/PA via AP)
The court heard previously that Brown is alleged to have struck Abe Diaw “several times” with a bottle before chasing him across the bar. (James Manning/PA via AP)

 

Akinlolu – a US rapper who performs under the name HoodyBaby – also pleaded not guilty to attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.

The alleged attack was captured on CCTV in a club “full of people”, it was said.

Brown was bailed on the condition surrender his passport if he is not travelling on tour.

His gigs kicked off in Amsterdam on June 8, with his first UK performance in Manchester taking place on June 15.

He played in Cardiff’s Principality Stadium to a sell-out crowd.

Adele Kelly, the Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London North, said at the time: “We have authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Chris Brown with one count of grievous bodily harm, contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

“The alleged incident occurred in London on 19 February 2023.

“He will have his first court appearance on Friday 16 May at Manchester Magistrates’ Court.

“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.

“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission

Author: Julia Atherley and Emily Jane Davies – The Sun

Source: News Corp Australia Network:

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