Chris Brown Pleads Not Guilty to London Nightclub Assault Charge, Faces Trial in 2026

Chris Brown, a 36-year-old American singer, has pleaded not guilty to an assault charge after an alleged bottle attack at a London nightclub two years ago. The incident, described as "unprovoked" by prosecutors, saw Brown accused of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to music producer Abraham Diaw. In addition to the charge of attempted grievous bodily harm, Brown also faces charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and having an offensive weapon - namely a tequila bottle - both of which relate to the same incident. The judge adjourned arraignment on these two counts, meaning Brown will not have to enter a plea until 11 July. He will then face trial on 26 October 2026. The US singer appeared at Southwark Crown Court to deny the charge, hours after playing to thousands of fans at Cardiff's Principality Stadium. Wearing an ocean blue suit and black-rimmed glasses, Brown was silent as he walked past a large group of photographers when he arrived at the court on Friday morning. Five or six fans were outside the court to offer their support, while more crowded into the courtroom to watch the proceedings. After taking the dock, Brown smiled and winked to a woman in the courtroom while waiting for Judge Baumgartner to arrive. He confirmed his name and date of birth, 5 May 1989, before the judge asked for his plea on the charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm. "Not guilty, ma'am," Brown replied. Brown's co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu, a 39-year-old American who performs under the name HoodyBaby, also entered a not guilty plea to the charge of attempted grievous bodily harm. Brown was arrested at the five-star Lowry hotel in Salford, Greater Manchester, last month after arriving in the UK to prepare for a string of European tour dates. He was held in custody for almost a week before being released after agreeing to pay a £5m security fee to the court as a financial guarantee to ensure he returns to court. Under those conditions, Brown must live at an address in the UK while awaiting trial and was ordered to surrender his passport to police. However, a plan was put in place allowing him to honour his Breezy Bowl XX world tour dates by surrendering his passport but getting it back when he needs to travel to the gigs. The first date took place in Amsterdam on 8 June, and the UK leg kicked off last weekend. Brown is one of the biggest stars in US R&B, with two Grammy Awards and 19 top 10 singles in the UK - including hits like Turn Up The Music, Freaky Friday, With You and Don't Wake Me Up. Last week, he won the prize for best male R&B/pop artist at the BET Awards in Los Angeles. His latest tour celebrates the 20th anniversary of his self-titled debut album.