Attack Details and Charges

Police said CCTV footage showed Chris Brown, one of the world’s biggest R&B stars, hitting the victim on the head with a glass bottle several times. The victim was then chased, pushed to the floor, and kicked.

The 37-year-old singer had been set to face more serious charges, including assault, attempted grievous bodily harm, and possession of an offensive weapon; However, these charges have now been dropped following his guilty plea.

Affray, defined as using or threatening violence that causes fear for someone’s safety, is punishable by up to three years in jail; Brown’s sentencing has been scheduled for 26 October.

Co-Defendant Also Pleads Guilty

Brown’s vocal coach, Omololu Akinlolu, also known as Hoody Baby, pleaded guilty to affray, Assault and attempted grievous bodily harm charges against him have also been dropped.

Det Con Zara Ripamonti of the Metropolitan Police stated that the attack was a disgraceful and unprovoked assault that left the victim hospitalized; she emphasized that serious violence has no place in London and expressed satisfaction that both men recognized their actions as criminal.

The attack took place at the Tape venue, a private members’ club in Mayfair, on the early hours of 19 February 2023. Prosecutors said Brown approached the victim from the dance floor and struck him with a bottle, with Akinlolu joining in and punching the victim in the head.

The Crown Prosecution Service described how the victim was kicked while seated defenselessly on the floor — the victim, music producer Abe Diaw, required hospital treatment for head and knee injuries.

Claire Campbell, a senior crown prosecutor in CPS London South, said the attack was vicious and unprovoked; she added that the Crown Prosecution Service would continue to work with police to ensure no one is above the law.

Previous Legal Issues and Public Reaction

Brown and Akinlolu entered their pleas at Southwark Crown Court in a hearing lasting less than five minutes — Judge Tony Baumgartner set the sentencing for 26 October and allowed Brown to leave the UK, provided he returns on 25 October.

Brown, known for tracks including ‘Loyal,’ ‘Look At Me Now,’ and ‘With You,’ arrived at court wearing a beige suit and baseball cap, flanked by security guards. Fans waved signs and shouted his name, with one declaring, ‘I love you Chris.’

Earlier hearings required Brown to pay a £5m security fee as part of his bail conditions, allowing him to launch on a world tour provided he surrendered his passport upon arrival in each country. Last summer. Brown joked about his ‘nice’ time in jail following his arrest in Manchester as he began his tour at the city’s Co-Op Live arena.

Brown has a history of legal issues, including a 2009 guilty plea to beating his then-girlfriend, pop star Rihanna, shortly before the pair were due to perform at the Grammy Awards. He was sentenced to 180 days’ community labor and five years’ probation; Later, he expressed remorse, calling himself a ‘monster’ and stating the fight would ‘haunt me forever.’