Chris Brown Pleads Not Guilty in London Bottle Assault

Today, June 20, 2025, Chris Brown, the Grammy-winning R&B star known for his chart-topping hits, appeared in Southwark Crown Court wearing a tailored navy three-piece suit and black-rimmed glasses. With confidence, he pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge of alleged assault to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.

Prosecutors accused Brown of attacking music producer Amadou “Abe” Diaw at Tape nightclub in London back in February 2023 with a bottle of tequila before punching and kicking him even as he lay unconscious. The claim states Brown struck Diaw repeatedly with a bottle of tequila before beating him up. Brown was arrested by London police but was later released after posting a huge $6.75 million bail.

Today at the hearing, Brown, 36, entered a clear “not guilty” plea to the one charge of grievous bodily harm. Musician and friend of Brown, Omololu Akinlolu, 38, was also charged with causing grievous bodily harm, as he was alleged to be involved in the incident. A plea has been entered on those counts.

The artist’s trial is set for October 2026.

­Brown is no stranger to controversies like this. In 2009, he was involved in a domestic violence case with his then-girlfriend Rihanna, where he assaulted her, leaving her with bodily injuries.

In 2024, the singer received multiple assault allegations when four concertgoers alleged that Brown and his entourage “brutally and severely beat” them up. Later that year, a documentary Chris Brown: A History of Violence was released by Warner Bros. In response, Brown sued them for $500 million. In the documentary, several women spoke about Brown’s alleged abuse, including Jane Doe, who claimed that the “Sensational” singer raped her on Diddy’s yacht — an accusation the singer denied.