Grammy-award winning R&B star Chris Brown has pleaded not guilty to one charge connected to his alleged beating of a music producer Amadou “Abe” Diaw with a bottle of tequila at Tape London, nightclub in 2023.
The “11:11” hitmaker, appeared in London’s Southwark Crown Court Friday for his arraignment where he pleaded not guilty to one count of attempting to unlawfully and maliciously cause grievous bodily harm with intent. “Not guilty ma’am,” he responded when asked how he pleaded to the count.
Brown was arrested by police in May in suspicion of the single bodily harm charge, but in a subsequent indictment, prosecutors added charges for assault causing actual bodily harm and having an offensive weapon, a bottle. Brown did not enter pleas on those additional counts but is due back in court in July.
Supporters filled the public gallery ahead of the hearing Southwark Crown Court on Friday.
Prosecutors sued Brown for assault and battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress, claiming in court documents that the singer “brutally assaulted” him by “beating him over the head” and that he “continued to ruthlessly stomp” on him as he lay unconscious on the nightclub floor after the bottle attack.
The “Sensational” artist was released from police custody in mid-May after posting Ksh 864 million ($6.7 million) bail and after his release, Brown informed fans on his Instagram story he would be going from “cage to stage.”
The singer’s trial is set for Oct. 26, 2026.
