Sombre Chris Brown pictured arriving at court to enter plea over GBH charge

Daily Mirror

20-06-2025

Chris Brown returned to court today to enter a plea over an alleged assault in a London nightclub.
The R&B singer, 36, will appear at Southwark Crown Court, London, today for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
He is accused of causing grievous bodily harm to Abraham Diaw in February 2023. Brown will be joined by Omololu Akinlolu, 38, a US national, who is also charged with grievous bodily harm with intent in connection with the incident.
Brown was initially remanded in custody, but he was later granted bail last month under the condition that he pay a a £5 million security fee to the court. The fee is a financial guarantee to ensure a defendant returns to court and may be forfeited if they breach bail conditions.
Chris Brown has arrived at Southwark Crown Court.
The 36-year-old donned a navy three-piece suit and buckled black and white shoes as he somberly made his way into court.
Chris Brown is accused of using a bottle to cause bodily harm to music producer Abe Diaw during a night out at London's Tape nightclub in Mayfair on February 19, 2023. Brown was arrested at the Lowry Hotel, Salford, on May 15 after jetting into nearby Manchester Airport to rehearse for his upcoming Breezy Bowl XX 20th anniversary tour.
Speaking earlier this month, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London North, Adele Kelly said: "We have authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Chris Brown, 36, with one count of grievous bodily harm, contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
"The alleged incident occurred in London on February 19, 2023. He will have his first court appearance on Friday, May 16 at Manchester Magistrates' Court. The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.
"It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."
The alleged incident occured at Tape nightclub in Hanover Square in London's Mayfair, on Sunday, 19 February 2023.
The boujie nightclub, which was recently mentioned on ITV2's Love Island, can set patrons back £1,000 to £3,000 if they want to book a table. It mainly operates as a private members club, but non-members are also able to attend as guests.
It's best known for playing house and R&B music and welcomes some of the top artists from around the world.
Tape, unsurprisingly, abides by a very strict dress code, which includes no sunglasses, man bags, shorts on men, hot pants sportswear of enything that is too casual or revealing.