Chris Brown given suspended sentence for London nightclub bottle attack

Summarised from 7 outlets · 8 reports · Updated 26 Oct, 13:14 · Archive

R&B singer Chris Brown has been sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 12 months, after admitting affray for striking a man with a tequila bottle at a London nightclub.

R&B singer Chris Brown has avoided immediate jail time after being sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on Monday. The 37-year-old was given an eight-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months, following his guilty plea to affray in July.

The incident occurred on the dancefloor of Tape, a private members' club in Mayfair, in the early hours of 19 February 2023. Prosecutors alleged that Brown approached his former friend Abraham Diaw and struck him twice over the left-hand side of his head with a heavy square-shaped tequila bottle. CCTV footage shown in court displayed Brown striking Diaw four times with the bottle, connecting twice with his head and then hitting his shoulder. The prosecution stated that as Diaw turned away, Brown rained down further blows.

Brown's vocal coach, Omololu Akinlolu, 40, participated in the assault by grabbing Diaw in a bear hug. As Diaw fell to the ground, Brown was seen throwing punches. Diaw was also kicked as he sat defenceless on the floor. The victim attended St Mary's Hospital with injuries to his head and knee.

Judge Tony Baumgartner said: 'The repeated use of a glass bottle in that way, especially aimed at the head, was plainly dangerous. It carried the risk of delivering a more serious injury than was ultimately sustained.' The judge warned that commercial success does not attract preferential treatment in court, though he acknowledged Brown's guilty plea and mitigating circumstances. Akinlolu received a four-month suspended sentence, also suspended for 12 months.

Brown had originally faced more serious charges including assault and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, but these were dropped in return for his guilty plea to affray. Both men were ordered to pay £1,500 in legal costs. Observers reported loud cheers outside the courthouse as Brown left the building, appearing to sign autographs for fans.

How it is being reported

• Chris Brown avoids jail after admitting nightclub affray chargeCCTV footage was shown where Brown struck former friend Abraham Diaw four times with a bottle.Evening Standard · 26 Oct, 12:50
• Chris Brown avoids prison time for brawling at a London nightclubGrammy-winning singer Chris Brown avoided prison time Monday for beating a music producer with a tequila bottle at a London nightclub three years ago.New York Post · 26 Oct, 12:30
• Chris Brown given suspended sentence over bottle attack at London clubR&B singer sentenced to eight months imprisonment suspended for 12 months over incident in Mayfair in 2023 The R&B singer Chris Brown has been given a suspended sentence after striking a man twice in the head with a tequila bottle in a central London club. Brown, 37, admitted affray earlier this year after attacking a former friend with a “heavy” tequila bottle on the dancefloor at the Tape private members’ club in Mayfair in February 2023. Continue reading...The Guardian · 26 Oct, 12:28
• R&B star Chris Brown avoids jail after bottle attack at London nightclubCCTV footage was shown where Chris Brown struck Abraham Diaw four times with the bottleThe Independent · 26 Oct, 12:23
• Chris Brown handed suspended sentence over London nightclub attackBrown, 37, pleaded guilty to the charge in July.Metro · 26 Oct, 12:13
• Chris Brown sentenced over 'vicious' London nightclub bottle attackR&B singer Chris Brown has been sentenced at Southwark Crown Court after pleaded guilty to affray for attacking a music producer in London back in February 2023The Mirror · 26 Oct, 12:11
• Singer Chris Brown arrives at court for sentencing wearing black face mask after attacking music producer in Mayfair nightclubGrammy-winning singer Chris Brown has arrived at court to be sentenced over a bottle attack on a music producer at an exclusive London nightclub.Daily Mail · 26 Oct, 10:37
• Singer Chris Brown arrives at court wearing black face mask for sentencing after attacking music producer in Mayfair nightclubGrammy-winning singer Chris Brown has arrived at court to be sentenced over a bottle attack on a music producer at an exclusive London nightclub.Daily Mail · 26 Oct, 09:53

In this story: Chris Brown · Abraham Diaw · Omololu Akinlolu · Southwark Crown Court · Tape · Mayfair · London

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem