R&B singer Chris Brown pleads GUILTY to ‘vicious’ club attack after hitting producer several times with bottle

R&B star Chris Brown has pleaded guilty to hitting a producer “several times” with a bottle in a “vicious” attack at a London club. The American singer, 37, assaulted Abe Diaw at Tape nightclub in Mayfair, Central London, in February 2023. Chris Brown has admitted one count of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm Credit: Getty The singer was arrested as he touched down in the UK for his tour Credit: PA Brown was arrested at the five-star Lowry Hotel in Manchester after flying into the city on a private jet. The Go Crazy singer appeared at Southwark Crown Court today where he pleaded guilty to affray. Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter Thank you! He initially faced trial after he pleaded not guilty to one count of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent. Brown had also denied having an offensive weapon – a bottle – in a public place but those charges have now been discontinued. Omololu Akinlolu will be sentenced with Brown in October Credit: Getty The attack took place at the Tape club in Mayfair Credit: 2019 Mark Thomas / i-Images He will be sentenced on October 26 alongside his vocal coach, Omololu Akinlolu, 40, who also admitted affray. The maximum sentence for affray is three years in prison. Judge Tony Baumgartner said: “I will order pre-sentence reports on each defendants and I keep all options open.” It comes after Brown was freed on bail after paying a £5million security fee to the court. Most read in Showbiz Brown smiled as he left court today Credit: Reuters He also signed autographs for fans Credit: i-Images The two-time Grammy-winner, who was performing at the time, later posted on Instagram: “From the cage to the stage!” The court heard previously that Brown struck Abe Diaw “several times” with a bottle before chasing him across the bar. He was then accused of punching and kicking him alongside his co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu. The attack was captured on CCTV in a club “full of people”, it was said. Abe, who was also kicked while he was seated defenceless on the floor, later went to hospital with head and knee injuries. Brown was arrested by Met Police Detectives at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester after flying into the city on a private jet in May last year. The Sun became aware of his presence in the UK and asked police whether he was under arrest. Officers then travelled to Manchester where they arrested the No Air singer. Brown was bailed on the condition surrender his passport if he is not travelling on tour. He left court to chants of “Breezy, Breezy” from fans, a reference to his 2022 album of the same name, as several supporters asked him for an autograph. In 2009, Brown assaulted his then girlfriend Rihanna causing facial injuries. And in 2013, he was arrested for breaking a man’s nose in Washington DC after refusing a picture with him. He voluntarily went into rehab but was kicked out. He was jailed for a year for breaching probation. Claire Campbell, Senior Crown Prosecutor in CPS London South said: “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. “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.”