American singer Chris Brown pleaded not guilty on Friday before a UK court to charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm during an alleged altercation in a London nightclub in 2023.
The development was reported by AFP and AP.
Brown showed up at Southwark Crown Court with his friend and fellow musician Omololu Akinlolu, who goes by “Hoody Baby” in the music world. Both of them pleaded not guilty to the same charge.
The Allegations
Prosecutors allege that on February 19, 2023, Brown, 36, and Akinlolu, 38, assaulted music producer Abe Diaw in a bustling nightclub in London. The prosecution claims the attack was completely unprovoked. It’s said that Brown hit Diaw several times with a bottle and then kicked him. Security cameras outside the venue caught the whole incident on tape.
Legal Background
Brown was arrested in Manchester back in May and taken into custody, but he was released on bail about a week later. Even with this legal trouble hanging over him, the Grammy-winning artist kicked off his international tour in June.
This isn’t the first time Brown has faced legal issues. In 2009, he was arrested for assaulting his then-girlfriend, pop star Rihanna, and he pleaded guilty that same year. His history of violent behavior has been a contentious part of his public image for quite some time.
Now, the case is progressing through the UK legal system.
