American R&B singer Chris Brown has pleaded guilty to affray in connection with a confrontation at a London nightclub in 2023.
The 37-year-old entered the plea at Southwark Crown Court on Friday over the incident at Tape nightclub in Mayfair.
His co-defendant, Omololu Akinlolu, 40, a rapper known as Hoody Baby and Brown’s vocal coach, also pleaded guilty to affray.
The case relates to an incident involving Abraham Diaw, whom prosecutors said Brown struck twice on the head with a glass bottle during a confrontation on the dancefloor.
Prosecutors said Akinlolu subsequently joined the confrontation and punched Diaw in the head. The victim was also allegedly kicked while on the floor and later received treatment at St Mary’s Hospital for injuries to his head and knee.
Following the guilty pleas, other charges against the pair were dropped. Brown had faced charges including assault occasioning actual bodily harm, attempting to cause grievous bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon.
Akinlolu had also denied a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Claire Campbell, Senior Crown Prosecutor at CPS London South, described the incident as a “vicious and unprovoked attack”.
“This was a vicious and unprovoked attack by Brown and Akinlolu in a crowded nightclub where Brown used a glass bottle as a weapon to strike the victim’s head twice,” she said.
“This kind of violence is entirely unacceptable, and the Crown Prosecution Service will work tirelessly – with the police and partners across the criminal justice system – to pursue cases like this and prove that no one is above the law.”
Judge Tony Baumgartner has scheduled sentencing for October 26, 2026.
Brown was released on bail following Friday’s hearing. At earlier proceedings, he had been required to provide a £5 million security fee as part of his bail conditions, which allowed him to continue his world tour subject to passport requirements.
