Singer Chris Brown arrives at court for sentencing wearing black face mask after attacking music producer in Mayfair nightclub

Grammy-winning singer Chris Brown has arrived at court to be sentenced over a bottle attack on a music producer at an exclusive London nightclub.The American R&B star, 37, is at Southwark Crown Court today wearing a black face mask after admitting affray over the violence at Tape in Mayfair.Prosecutors said Brown struck Abraham Diaw twice over the head with a glass bottle before pursuing him through the crowded venue during the early hours of February 19, 2023.His friend and vocal coach Omololu Akinlolu, 40, joined the attack, punching Mr Diaw in the head. The producer was also kicked as he sat defenceless on the floor, according to the prosecution account.Mr Diaw attended St Mary's Hospital with injuries to his head and knee.The sentencing comes more than three years after the attack at the private members' club in Hanover Square.Police said Mr Diaw was at the venue at about 3am when he was approached and assaulted. Both attackers were known to him.Officers attended hospital to take an initial statement before detectives began piecing together what had happened. Chris Brown has arrived at Southwark Crown Court to be sentenced over a bottle attack on a music producer The Grammy award winning singer admitted affray after the clash at a Mayfair nightclubAccording to the Metropolitan Police, CCTV showed Brown striking the producer's head with a glass bottle while Akinlolu punched him in the back of the head. Mr Diaw was then chased, pushed to the floor and kicked.Detectives said both suspects were given repeated opportunities to attend voluntary interviews under caution but did not attend. They were subsequently circulated as wanted.Police were alerted that Brown was flying to Britain on May 14, 2025. He was arrested in Manchester in the early hours of the following morning. Akinlolu was also arrested in Manchester on May 15.Brown was detained at about 2am at the Lowry hotel in Salford, Greater Manchester, after returning to Britain ahead of his Breezy Bowl XX tour.He was initially refused bail and spent six days in custody before being released from Forest Bank prison.After his release, he posted an Instagram story declaring: 'FROM THE CAGE TO THE STAGE!!! BREEZYBOWL.'His release followed an order to lodge a £5million security with the court — £4million before he could leave custody and a further £1million within seven days.The money served as a financial guarantee that he would return to court, rather than a fine.The bail arrangements allowed Brown to continue his international tour, with restrictions governing the use of his passport.He was required to live at an address supplied to the court and was barred from visiting Tape or contacting Mr Diaw.His lawyers were able to arrange access to his passport for overseas performances, allowing the singer to fulfil tour dates while the prosecution continued.Brown had previously denied charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon, namely a bottle.But at a hearing on July 24 this year, he and Akinlolu pleaded guilty to affray after the prosecution agreed not to proceed with the more serious charges.Prosecutor Heidi Stonecliffe KC applied for the affray count to be added to the indictment, telling the court the course had been accepted by all parties.The offence carries a maximum sentence of three years' imprisonment.At the July hearing, Judge Tony Baumgartner warned that 'all options' would remain open to the sentencing court.Brown arrived for that earlier appearance wearing a tan suit, gold-rimmed sunglasses and a St Louis Cardinals baseball cap, accompanied by security guards.Fans gathered outside the court, playing his music and calling his name. He waved to supporters and signed autographs as he left.Following the guilty pleas, Claire Campbell, a senior crown prosecutor at CPS London South, described the incident as a 'vicious and unprovoked attack'.She said Brown had used a glass bottle as a weapon to strike the victim's head twice in a crowded nightclub, and stressed that the prosecution demonstrated that 'no one is above the law'.Detective Constable Zara Ripamonti, of the Metropolitan Police, also condemned the violence following the convictions.She described a 'disgraceful, unprovoked assault that put a man in hospital' and said the lengthy investigation had involved cooperation with police colleagues elsewhere in Britain.Brown rose to fame as a teenager in 2005 and became one of the best-known names in R&B, with hits including Run It!, Loyal and Under the Influence.He won his first Grammy in 2012 for best R&B album with F.A.M.E., which was released the previous year. He won the same award again in 2025 for 11:11 (Deluxe).His debut single Run It! topped the US Billboard Hot 100, while his self-titled debut album reached No2 on the Billboard 200.His career has also been marked by previous criminal proceedings.In 2009, Brown pleaded guilty to felony assault after attacking his then-girlfriend Rihanna in a car in Los Angeles, hours before the pair were due to perform at the Grammy Awards.He was sentenced to five years' probation and 180 days of community labour, and ordered to complete a year-long domestic violence counselling programme.Police accounts of that incident described Brown repeatedly punching Rihanna, biting her and attempting to choke her.The attack left her with visible injuries and prompted widespread condemnation.