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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National
Y. Sam Hall

Chris Brown arrives at London court for ‘bottle attack’ hearing

R&B singer Chris Brown arrives at Southwark Crown Court where he is charged over an alleged assault in a London nightclub (Stefan Rousseau/PA) - (PA Wire)

R&B singer Chris Brown waved to supporters as he arrived at court for a hearing ahead of his trial over an alleged bottle attack at a London nightclub.

The 37-year-old is due to face a jury trial on October 26 over an allegation he attacked a former friend at the Tape private members’ club in Mayfair in 2023.

On Friday, Brown returned to Southwark Crown Court for a case management hearing in front of His Honour Judge Tony Baumgartner.

Brown, wearing a tan suit, gold-rimmed sunglasses and a St Louis Cardinals baseball hat, was flanked by security guards as he arrived at court, where a small group of fans had gathered.

R&B singer Chris Brown arrives at Southwark Crown Court in London (Stefan Rousseau / PA). (PA Wire)
R&B singer Chris Brown arrives at Southwark Crown Court in London (Stefan Rousseau / PA). (PA Wire)

The American singer-songwriter waved to fans as he arrived on a sunny morning in the capital with security guards and police officers stationed outside the central London court.

Fans played the artist’s music and shouted his name, with one saying “I love you Chris”, as others held signs.

At earlier hearings, Brown was ordered to pay a £5 million security fee as part of his bail conditions, which also allowed him to go on a world tour as long as he surrendered his passport on arrival in each country.

Brown has already pleaded not guilty – in June last year – to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against Abraham Diaw at the Tape venue, a private members’ club in Hanover Square, Mayfair, on February 19 2023.

He has also denied having an offensive weapon – a bottle – in a public place, as well as a charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm.

Brown is charged alongside his vocal coach, Omololu Akinlolu, 40, who has also denied assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

It is said Mr Diaw was struck several times with a bottle before being kicked and punched several times after encountering Brown and his entourage at the venue’s Dirty Martini club night.

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