“This was a vicious and unprovoked attack by Brown and Akinlolu in a crowded nightclub where Brown used a glass bottle as a weapon to strike the victim’s head twice.”
Singer Chris Brown has pleaded guilty in UK court in relation to an attack that took place in a London nightclub in 2023. Per BBC News, the controversial star pleaded guilty to affray, while charges of assault, attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, and having an offensive weapon were dropped.
Affray is defined as using or threatening violence towards someone and making them fear for their safety, and carries a sentence of up to three years in Jail. Brown will be sentenced in October alongside co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu, Brown’s vocal coach who raps under the name Hoody Baby, who also pleaded guilty to affray.
The attack took place at the private members’ club Tape in the early hours of February 19, 2023. Prosecutors said that Brown had approached the victim from the dance floor, and struck him over the head with a tequila bottle. Prosecutors said Akinlolu joined Brown, punching the victim in the head.
The Crown Prosecution Service said in a statement, “They continued their assault whilst the victim attempted to flee through the club. The victim was kicked while he was seated defenceless on the floor.” The victim, identified as music producer Abe Diaw, received treatment at the hospital for head and knee injuries.
Claire Campbell, senior crown prosecutor in CPS London South, said, "This was a vicious and unprovoked attack by Brown and Akinlolu in a crowded nightclub where Brown used a glass bottle as a weapon to strike the victim's head twice. This kind of violence is entirely unacceptable, and the Crown Prosecution Service will work tirelessly - with the police and partners across the criminal justice system - to pursue cases like this, and prove that no one is above the law.”
The Friday hearing at Southwark Crown Court took less than five minutes, with Judge Tony Baumgartner scheduled sentencing for the two men for October 26. Under bail conditions set by the judge, Brown is allowed to leave the UK, but must return on October 25.
Brown’s fans appeared outside the court, shouting his name and holding up signs, one of which read, “I love you Chris.”
Brown has a criminal history that includes his infamous guilty plea in 2009 for beating his then-girlfriend, pop star Rihanna. He was sentenced to 180 days of community labor and five years of probation in that case.
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