Chris Brown Returns To The U.K. To Enter His Plea For Alleged Nightclub Assault
By Afouda Bamidele on June 20, 2025 at 11:30 AM EDT
Chris Brown takes a break from tour to fight for his innocence!
The R&B singer arrived in the United Kingdom to put in his plea on the running charge of causing bodily harm to an alleged victim in a nightclub two years ago.
Chris Brown was previously taken into Manchester police custody last month in connection with the nightclub attack.
Chris Brown Enters A Not Guilty Plea In Court
The 36-year-old, alongside his team of lawyers, decided to plead not guilty to allegedly assaulting music producer Abe Diaw with a tequila bottle at a London nightclub in 2023.
The process took place at the Southwark Crown Court around 10 a.m. on Friday, June 20, 2025. Decked in a blue suit and black tie corporate fit, Brown reportedly said nothing more than to enter his "not guilty" plea, identify himself, and his date of birth.
His co-defendant, Dallas rapper and producer Omololu Akinlolu, also went through the same process in court. PEOPLE confirmed that adjudication will be the next stage of the case and is set to begin on July 11.
The main trial is also scheduled to commence on October 26, 2026. Brown was released on a $6.7 million bail on May 21, after his arrest in the United Kingdom.
The Cops Picked Up The R&B Star Early
Brown's arrest occurred in the early hours of May 15 in Manchester at The Lowry Hotel in the heart of the city, just hours before his appearance in court. London's Metropolitan police confirmed the arrest and reported that Brown had been seized on suspicion of grievous bodily harm.
They confirmed that he was in custody at the time of their statement, which read, "A 36-year-old man was arrested at a hotel in Manchester shortly after 02:00hrs on Thursday, May 15 on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. He has been taken into custody, where he remains."
The police noted that investigations into the incident that happened at Hanover Square on February 19, 2023, were being supervised by detectives of the Central West Area Basic Command Unit.
His arrest happened in the middle of his ongoing "Breezy Bowl" stadium tour, which celebrates his two-decades-long career in the music industry.
Brown's Close Friend Called For His Release Following U.K. Detainment
Brown's arrest did not go unnoticed. News that he had been taken into police custody on foreign soil sparked reactions from his fans and friends.
As seen on The Blast, Odell Beckham Jr. was among the first people to speak on the development. The NFL star hopped on Instagram to share a photo of his long-time friend, accompanied by a bold declaration.
"Free Breeeezyyy. The moral compass will never lie ... we waiting on ya," the wide receiver wrote on the post. Beckham and the "Warm Embrace" singer have maintained a close friendship for decades since he broke out as a superstar in the National Football League.
The Grammy Winner's Accuser Demanded An Eight-Figure Sum Settlement
The violent confrontation happened at Tape nightclub around 3 a.m. when Brown reportedly launched at Diaw unprovoked.
According to the producer's account of events, Brown broke a liquor bottle against his head and beat him when he was on the ground, leading him to sustain serious injuries.
Diaw added in the suit that he was physically hit several times, and the intensity of the attack led to his knee collapsing. He was then transported to the hospital and had to use crutches afterwards to walk.
That producer proceeded to file a civil case against Brown after the attack. He sought damages of $16 million as a result of physical and financial injuries suffered during the incident.
Chris Brown Is Also Battling A $90 Million Lawsuit
The actor somehow finds himself engrossed in one lawsuit or the other. The Blast stated that in 2021, his former housekeeper served him with a lawsuit accusing him of treating her injuries from a dog attack in his home with negligence and insensitivity.
Maria Avila explained in the lawsuit that the singer's large Caucasian dog attacked her while she was on duty in his home in 2020. The dog reportedly disfigured her face and arms, prompting her to go for immediate treatment.
However, she claimed the rapper, even with full knowledge of her condition, failed to take proactive steps to protect her, either financially or in other ways. She claimed that he instead instructed his staff to hide evidence by getting rid of the dog.
The dog, named Hades, was then ferried to Humboldt County, but he was rescued by the Humane Society, which later euthanized him. Avila demanded a settlement of $90 million in damages from the singer to get her back on track and ease losses suffered during the attack and treatment.
Which way will the hammer of justice swing for Chris Brown?
