US singer Chris Brown has pleaded guilty to affray over what prosecutors described as “a vicious and unprovoked attack” at a London nightclub in 2023.
The 37-year-old entered the guilty plea at Southwark Crown Court on Friday. Prosecutors later dropped the more serious charges of assault, attempting to cause grievous bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon, namely a tequila bottle. Brown will now be sentenced on 26 October.
Brown’s vocal coach, 40-year-old Omololu Akinlolu, who performs under the name Hoody Baby, also pleaded guilty to affray. The assault and attempted grievous bodily harm charges against him were also withdrawn.
Police said CCTV footage showed Brown repeatedly striking the victim on the head with a glass bottle before the man was chased, pushed to the floor and kicked.
Detective Constable Zara Ripamonti of the Metropolitan Police said: “This was a disgraceful, unprovoked assault that put a man in hospital.
“There is no place for serious violence like this in the London and I’m pleased these men accepted what they did wasn’t just completely unacceptable – but criminal.
“This has been a long investigation and we’ve worked with police colleagues in the UK to bring these two men to justice.”
The attack happened at the Tape venue, a private members’ club in Mayfair, during the early hours of 19 February 2023.
Prosecutors said Brown approached the victim from the dance floor before striking him over the head with a bottle. They said Akinlolu then joined Brown and punched the victim in the head.
“They continued their assault whilst the victim attempted to flee through the club,” the Crown Prosecution Service said in a statement. “The victim was kicked while he was seated defenceless on the floor.”
Claire Campbell, senior crown prosecutor in CPS London South, said: “This was a vicious and unprovoked attack by Brown and Akinlolu in a crowded nightclub where Brown used a glass bottle as a weapon to strike the victim’s head twice.
“This kind of violence is entirely unacceptable, and the Crown Prosecution Service will work tirelessly – with the police and partners across the criminal justice system – to pursue cases like this, and prove that no one is above the law.”
Judge Tony Baumgartner fixed sentencing for both men on 26 October and allowed Brown to remain on bail. Under his bail conditions, Brown can leave the UK but must return by 25 October.
The hearing lasted less than five minutes.
Brown, known for songs including Loyal, Look At Me Now and With You, waved at fans as he arrived at court wearing a beige suit and baseball cap. Supporters played his music, held signs and shouted his name outside the court.
As part of earlier bail conditions, Brown was ordered to pay a £5 million security fee. The conditions also allowed him to continue his world tour provided he surrendered his passport on arrival in each country.
Brown previously pleaded guilty in 2009 to assaulting his then-girlfriend, pop star Rihanna, before the Grammy Awards. He was sentenced to 180 days of community labour and five years’ probation. He later said he felt like a “monster” and that the fight would “haunt me forever”.
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Faridah Abdulkadiri
