US R&B singer Chris Brown has pleaded not guilty to a charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) following an alleged bottle attack in a London nightclub in 2023. The 36-year-old artist stands accused of launching an “unprovoked” assault on music producer Abraham Diaw at Soho’s Tape nightclub.
Prosecutors allege Brown used a tequila bottle as a weapon during the incident. In addition to the GBH charge, he faces further counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon. The arraignment for these additional charges has been postponed until 11 July, with the trial scheduled for October 2026.
Singer Appears in Court After Cardiff Show, Posts £5M Bail for Release
Brown appeared at Southwark Crown Court just hours after performing at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium as part of his ongoing world tour. Dressed in an ocean blue suit and wearing black-rimmed glasses, he made no statement to the media while entering the courthouse, where a modest group of fans had gathered.
Inside the courtroom, Brown smiled and acknowledged a supporter before formally denying the charge. He clearly stated his plea of “not guilty” when questioned by the judge, and his co-defendant, American rapper HoodyBaby (real name Omololu Akinlolu), entered the same plea.
Chris Brown Pleads Not Guilty to London Nightclub Bottle Attack, Faces 2026 TrialThe singer was arrested last month at the Lowry Hotel in Salford after arriving in the UK for the European leg of his Breezy Bowl XX tour. He was held in custody for nearly a week and was released only after posting a £5 million security fee—a bail arrangement designed to ensure his return to court. As part of his bail conditions, Brown must reside at a UK address and has surrendered his passport to authorities. However, the court has permitted him to reclaim it temporarily for scheduled performances abroad.
Chris Brown Balances Global Tour Commitments Amid Serious Ongoing Assault Allegations in UK
Despite his legal troubles, Brown has continued to perform across Europe. The European tour began in Amsterdam on 8 June and has since moved through several UK cities. During his Manchester performance, he humorously thanked “the jail” for its hospitality, referencing his time in custody. The singer is scheduled to perform two shows at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this weekend, and his next court appearance will take place once the tour concludes.
Chris Brown remains a dominant force in the R&B scene, with two Grammy Awards and a string of UK top-10 hits. His current tour celebrates the 20th anniversary of his debut album.
Recently, he won Best Male R&B/Pop Artist at the BET Awards in Los Angeles. Prosecutors allege that during the nightclub incident, Brown struck the victim multiple times with a bottle and later pursued and repeatedly assaulted him. The case continues to draw public attention, with Brown balancing international performances alongside serious criminal charges.