American singer Chris Brown has pleaded guilty to affray following what prosecutors described as a vicious and unprovoked attack inside a London nightclub in 2023. Police stated that CCTV footage showed Brown striking the victim on the head with a glass bottle multiple times, after which the victim was chased, knocked down, and kicked.
The 37-year-old artist had previously been set to stand trial on heavier charges that he denied, including assault, attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, and possession of an offensive weapon involving a tequila bottle. Those original charges have since been dropped by prosecutors. Affray—defined legally as using or threatening violence that causes a person to fear for their safety—carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison. Brown is scheduled to receive his sentence in October.
Brown’s vocal coach and Florida-based rapper, 40-year-old Omololu Akinlolu (known professionally as Hoody Baby), also entered a guilty plea for affray after his assault and attempted grievous bodily harm charges were similarly dismissed. Detective Constable Zara Ripamonti of the Metropolitan Police described the incident as a disgraceful, unprovoked assault that resulted in hospitalization, expressing satisfaction that both men ultimately accepted responsibility for their actions.
The confrontation occurred at Tape, an exclusive private members’ club in Mayfair, during the early hours of February 19, 2023.According to prosecutors, Brown moved toward the victim from the dance floor and struck him over the head with a bottle, with Akinlolu joining in by punching the victim. The Crown Prosecution Service noted that the assault continued as the victim tried to escape, with the men kicking him while he sat helpless on the floor.
The victim, music producer Abe Diaw, required hospital care for injuries to his head and knee.Claire Campbell, a senior crown prosecutor, reiterated that using a bottle as a weapon in a crowded venue is entirely unacceptable, emphasizing that the justice system will pursue such cases to demonstrate that no individual is above the law. Both Brown and Akinlolu submitted their guilty pleas at Southwark Crown Court during a brief hearing lasting less than five minutes.
Judge Tony Baumgartner set the sentencing date for both defendants for October 26. The judge established bail conditions permitting Brown to depart the UK, provided he returns by October 25. Upon arriving at court wearing a beige suit and baseball cap, Brown waved to fans who gathered outside playing his tracks, holding signs, and shouting messages of support.Under previous bail conditions, Brown was required to post a £5 million security deposit, which allowed him to complete a global tour on the condition that he hand over his passport to local authorities upon entering each country.
During a concert at Manchester’s Co-Op Live arena last summer, the performer joked with the crowd about his brief time in custody following his initial arrest in the city.In 2009, Brown previously pleaded guilty to felony assault involving his then-girlfriend, singer Rihanna, leading to a sentence of five years’ probation and 180 days of community labor.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/
