American R&B singer Chris Brown pleaded not guilty on Friday in a UK court to a charge related to an alleged assault during a nightclub incident in London in 2023.
The 36-year-old appeared in court wearing a dark suit, tie, and glasses. Standing in the dock, he responded to the charge by saying, “Not guilty, ma’am.”
He is accused of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent. After entering his plea, Brown waved to supporters in the public gallery as he exited the courtroom.
The court scheduled a five to seven-day trial to begin on October 26, 2026.
Brown, currently out on £5 million ($6.7 million) bail, was arrested in Manchester in May and held in custody for nearly a week before being released. Under his bail conditions, he must forfeit the £5 million if he fails to appear in court.
He is also required to live at a court-approved address, surrender his passport when not traveling, avoid contact with the alleged victim Abraham Diah, and stay away from the nightclub where the incident allegedly occurred.
Despite the charges, Brown has been allowed to continue his international tour, which began on June 8 in Amsterdam. He is currently performing in the UK, with a show scheduled in London this Saturday. His tour is expected to continue through France, Portugal, and the U.S., concluding in Memphis in mid-October.
The charges stem from a February 19, 2023, nightclub incident in Hanover Square, London. Brown is accused of striking the victim multiple times with a bottle, then pursuing, punching, and kicking him.
He appeared in court alongside co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu, also a U.S. citizen, who faces the same charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.
Both men are additionally charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, for which they will enter pleas on July 11. Brown also faces a separate charge of possessing an offensive weapon — the bottle allegedly used in the assault.
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Chris Brown, known for early hits like “Kiss Kiss”, rose to fame from his beginnings in a Virginia church choir. While celebrated for his musical talent, his career has often been overshadowed by legal troubles and allegations of violence, including his widely publicized past with singer Rihanna.
