Chris Brown arrives in court to answer assault charges

Mark SavageMusic correspondentHelena WilkinsonCorrespondent at Southwark Crown CourtChris Brown arrives at courtroom in LondonUS singer Chris Brown has pleaded not responsible to a cost stemming from an alleged bottle assault at a London nightclub two years in the past.The 36-year-old is accused of trying to trigger grievous bodily hurt to music producer Abraham Diaw throughout an incident that prosecutors have described as “unprovoked”.Brown additionally faces fees of assault occasioning precise bodily hurt, and having an offensive weapon. Each relate to the identical incident, and had been added to his indictment forward of Friday’s listening to. The decide adjourned arraignment on these two counts, which means Brown didn’t enter a plea.The US singer appeared at Southwark Crown Courtroom to disclaim the cost of grievous bodily hurt, hours after enjoying to 1000’s of followers at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.Carrying an ocean blue swimsuit and black-rimmed glasses, the musician was silent as he walked previous a big group of photographers when he arrived on the courtroom on Friday morning. 5 or 6 followers had been exterior the courtroom to supply their help.Brown was arrested on the five-star Lowry lodge in Salford, Larger Manchester, final month, after arriving within the UK to arrange for a string of European tour dates.PA MediaHe was held in custody for nearly per week, earlier than being launched after agreeing to pay a £5m safety payment to the courtroom.A safety payment is a monetary assure to make sure a defendant returns to courtroom. Mr Brown could possibly be requested to forfeit the cash if he breaches bail situations.Beneath these situations, Mr Brown should reside at an deal with within the UK whereas awaiting trial, and was ordered to give up his passport to police.Nonetheless, a plan was put in place permitting him to honour his Breezy Bowl XX world tour dates by surrendering his passport however getting it again when he must journey to the gigs.The primary date occurred in Amsterdam on 8 June, and the UK leg kicked off final weekend.On the primary night time in Manchester on Sunday, he thanked followers “for coming and supporting me”.”And thanks to the jail,” he joked, referring to his spell in custody. “It was very nice.”Getty ImagesChris Brown pictured on stage in Detroit in AprilMr Brown is without doubt one of the greatest stars in US R&B, with two Grammy Awards, and 19 high 10 singles within the UK – together with hits like Flip Up The Music, Freaky Friday, With You and Do not Wake Me Up.Final week, he gained the prize for greatest male R&B/pop artist on the BET Awards in Los Angeles.A former accomplice of pop star Rihanna, his newest tour celebrates the twentieth anniversary of his self-titled debut album.Outlining the case towards him final month, prosecutors stated the alleged sufferer, Abraham Diaw, was standing on the bar of Soho’s Tape nightclub on 19 February 2023 when Mr Brown launched an “unprovoked assault” through which the complainant was struck a number of instances with a bottle.She stated: “The defendant then pursued him to a separate space of the nightclub the place the sufferer was punched and kicked repeatedly by him and one other.”Omolulu Akinlolu, a 38-year-old American who performs underneath the identify HoodyBaby, was charged alongside Brown and can seem with him at courtroom on Friday.He’s dealing with the identical first two counts as Brown however not the third (having an offensive weapon).