Chris Brown has appeared at a court in London over an alleged bottle attack at a nightclub.
The rapper, who wore a white jacket over a black shirt and smart grey trousers, and was accompanied by security guards as he entered the building, attended Southwark Crown Court for a preliminary hearing today (January 28) to confirm his name.
Brown previously pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm over what prosecutors say was an “unprovoked attack” on a former friend, Abraham Diaw, at the Tape private members’ club in Mayfair in February 2023.
He also denied having an offensive weapon – a bottle – in a public place, as well as a charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, at the venue’s Dirty Martini club night.
In the dock, Brown shook hands with his co-defendant, Omololu Akinlolu, who has also denied a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Lawyers in the case updated the judge on preparations for the trial during the eight-minute hearing, before bail conditions were reconfirmed, according to Sky News.
Brown was arrested at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester by the Metropolitan Police last May on suspicion of grievous bodily harm just hours after arriving in the city on a private jet. While it was initially uncertain if the arrest would impact his tour dates, he was later freed on a £5million bail and permitted to travel internationally for his live shows.
The rapper had only just launched his UK tour in Manchester, shortly after he was arrested in the city. Taking place at the Co-Op Live arena, he used the time on stage to make a quip about the arrest, saying: “Thank you for coming and supporting me… And thank you to the jail. It was really nice.”
Around a dozen supporters sat in the public gallery behind the pair during today’s hearing, and the singer waved to them as he left.
Both defendants are due to appear in court for a further pre-trial hearing in April, ahead of a trial scheduled for October.
