US singer Chris Brown pleads not guilty to lesser assault charge in UK court
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US singer Chris Brown arriving at Southwark Crown Court in London, Britain, on July 11.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- Chris Brown pleaded not guilty to assault and possessing an offensive weapon in London, related to a 2023 nightclub incident.
- Co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu also pleaded not guilty to causing actual bodily harm; both face trial starting October 26, 2026.
- Brown, who paid a £5 million security fee was supported in court and had previously been arrested in Manchester in May.
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LONDON - US singer Chris Brown on July 11 pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault causing actual bodily harm by allegedly attacking a music producer with a bottle in a London nightclub two years ago.
Brown in June denied a more serious charge of attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm in what prosecutors said was an “unprovoked attack” on Abraham Diaw in a London nightclub in 2023.
The 36-year-old appeared at London’s Southwark Crown Court on July 11, where he spoke only to confirm his name and enter his pleas of not guilty to causing actual bodily harm and a further charge of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place.
Brown's co-defendant, Omololu Akinlolu, 38, also pleaded not guilty to the charge of causing actual bodily harm, having previously denied attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm.
The pair’s trial is due to begin on Oct 26, 2026.
Around 20 supporters sat in the public gallery behind the dock during the July 11 short hearing, with two saying “we love you, Chris” as he left the court.
The R&B star, a two-time Grammy Award winner known for hits such as Loyal, Run It and Under The Influence, was granted bail in May after paying a £5 million (S$8.6 million) security fee in order to begin his Breezy Bowl XX tour.
Brown was arrested at a hotel in Manchester, northern England, in May, after returning to Britain for the first time since the incident two years ago. REUTERS
Co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu arriving at London’s Southwark Crown Court on July 11.
PHOTO: REUTERS
