Chris Brown at London Pretrial Hearing for Assault Charges

Chris Brown appeared at Southwark Crown Court in London on Wednesday, January 28, for a brief pretrial hearing as he prepares for a trial later this year on charges stemming from an alleged assault at a Mayfair nightclub. The 36-year-old R&B singer, accompanied by his co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu, faces accusations of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and possessing an offensive weapon in connection with the February 19, 2023, incident at the exclusive Tape club.

Prosecutors allege that Brown carried out an unprovoked attack on music producer Abraham Diaw inside the venue during its Dirty Martini club night. According to court details, Diaw was standing at the bar when Brown struck him several times over the head with a tequila bottle, then chased him through the club before kicking and punching him as he lay on the floor. Akinlolu, a 39-year-old rapper known as HoodyBaby and Brown's vocal coach, faces a separate charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against Diaw. Both men have pleaded not guilty to all counts. The additional charges against Brown for assault and possession of the bottle were added in June 2023.