Chris Brown Denies Assault Charges, Prepares for Trial in 2026

Chris Brown, the acclaimed R&B artist, has formally entered a not guilty plea in response to two assault charges at a London court, stemming from an alleged altercation at a nightclub in 2023.

Chris Brown faced court proceedings at Southwark Crown Court, where he pled not guilty to charges stemming from a purported bottle attack on music producer Abraham Diaw in February 2023. Brown, who is now 36, is accused of inflicting actual bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon, specifically a tequila bottle. A previous charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) was also noted, to which he has already denied culpability.

Arriving at the court in a smart brown suit paired with dark-rimmed glasses, Brown was met with a warm reception from around 20 supportive fans, who expressed their admiration as he arrived. The allegations suggest that during the incident at Soho's Tape nightclub, Brown assaulted Diaw multiple times with a bottle while the latter was at the bar.

In May 2023, following his return to the UK for a European tour, Brown was arrested at the Lowry hotel in Salford, Greater Manchester. He spent nearly a week in custody but was released after agreeing to pay a £5 million security fee to the court. This fee acts as a guarantee for his return to court and he must comply with specific bail conditions, including residence at an address in the UK and surrendering his passport to police.

Nevertheless, plans are in place to allow Brown to participate in his Breezy Bowl XX world tour, set to accommodate his passport retrieval for scheduled performances. The tour commenced on June 8 in Amsterdam, concluding the last leg across various UK and European venues, with the North American segment slated to kick off later this month.

Chris Brown's impressive musical career includes multiple Grammy Awards and numerous chart-topping hits, solidifying his status in the realm of R&B. His co-defendant, Omololu Akinlolu, known as HoodyBaby, has also pleaded not guilty to similar assault charges related to the incident. The trial is set for October 2026, where further legal proceedings will unfold.