Chris Brown pleads guilty to affray over bottle attack - BBC

What the report says

BBC News reports that US R&B singer Chris Brown has pleaded guilty to affray over a 2023 incident at a London nightclub, after prosecutors described the attack as unprovoked and violent. The plea was entered at Southwark Crown Court on Friday in a brief hearing. Brown had previously denied more serious charges, including assault, attempting to cause grievous bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon, identified in court as a tequila bottle; those counts have now been dropped.

According to the BBC, police said CCTV showed Brown striking music producer Abe Diaw on the head with a glass bottle more than once at Tape, a private members’ club in Mayfair, in the early hours of 19 February 2023. Prosecutors said Diaw was later chased through the venue, pushed down and kicked, and required hospital treatment for head and knee injuries. Brown’s co-defendant, Omololu Akinlolu, a Florida rapper and vocal coach who performs as Hoody Baby, also pleaded guilty to affray, with assault and attempted grievous bodily harm charges dropped against him.

The Crown Prosecution Service said Brown and Akinlolu attacked the victim in a crowded club, and the Metropolitan Police described the case as a lengthy investigation. Affray involves using or threatening violence that causes someone to fear for their safety, and can carry a prison sentence of up to three years.

Judge Tony Baumgartner scheduled sentencing for both men on 26 October. The BBC reported that Brown remains on bail, with conditions allowing him to leave the UK provided he returns on 25 October. Brown, known for songs including “Loyal” and “With You,” also has a prior conviction from 2009 for assaulting then-girlfriend Rihanna.