Chris Brown has appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to an assault charge.
The appearance follows the ‘Loyal’ singer being arrested in Manchester last month for allegedly attacking a music producer in a London bar two years ago. He is also facing charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and for having an offensive weapon (a tequila bottle).
He was arrested at The Lowry Hotel by the Metropolitan Police on suspicion of grievous bodily harm just hours after arriving in the city on a private jet. While it was initially uncertain if the arrest would impact his tour dates, he was later freed on a £5million bail and permitted to travel internationally for his live shows.
Now the singer has appeared at the Southwark Crown Court to deny the charge of grievous bodily harm. He was seen wearing a light blue suit and glasses when he arrived at the court this morning (June 20).
BBC News reports that, after taking the dock, the US singer smiled and winked to a woman in the courtroom as he waited for Judge Baumgartner to arrive.
After confirming his name and date of birth, he was asked by the judge for his plea on the grievous bodily harm charge, to which he responded: “Not guilty, ma’am.”
He appeared in court alongside co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu – a 38-year-old who performs under the name HoodyBaby – who was also charged with grievous bodily harm with intent for the February 2023 attack. In court this morning, Akinlolu pleaded not guilty.
Outside the court, around five or six fans gathered to offer their support for Brown (as per BBC News). As for the other two charges the singer faces, the judge has adjourned arraignment for them, and Brown will not have to enter his plea until July 11.
He will then face trial on October 26 next year.
Brown launched his UK tour in Manchester last week, shortly after he was arrested in the city. Taking place at the Co-Op Live arena, he used the time on stage to make a quip about the arrest, saying: “Thank you for coming and supporting me… And thank you to the jail. It was really nice.”
He also marked 20 years in the music industry by showing a video montage of the highest and lowest moments of his career – including news footage from outside a court in Manchester, following his arrest.
He is set to play two shows at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this weekend (June 21 and 22), before more performances in Birmingham, Glasgow and Manchester. Other dates include shows in Ireland, France and Portugal, before he heads on a North American leg of the tour at the end of July.
English (US) · 