R&B star Chris Brown has been remanded in custody after appearing in court on charges relating to an alleged bottle attack at a nightclub in London.
The 36-year-old American singer was arrested at The Lowry Hotel in Salford on Thursday and subsequently charged in connection with the alleged assault, which is said to have taken place at Tape nightclub in Mayfair in 2023.
Brown is accused of using a bottle to inflict grievous bodily harm on music producer Abe Diaw.
He was in Manchester preparing for his upcoming UK tour, which includes scheduled performances at Manchester’s Co-Op Live Arena and Cardiff’s Principality Stadium in June and July.
Appearing in Manchester Magistrates’ Court, Brown wore black tracksuit bottoms and a plain t-shirt. He confirmed his full name as Christopher Maurice Brown and gave his date of birth when asked. When questioned about his address, he stated it was The Lowry Hotel.
District Judge Joanne Hirst ruled that the case must be transferred to Southwark Crown Court in London, where the next hearing is set for 13 June. She explained that the charge of grievous bodily harm was too serious to be handled by a magistrates’ court.
Brown had been scheduled to perform in Amsterdam on 8 June before continuing on to Germany, then embarking on the UK leg of his tour.
Fans gathered outside the court in Manchester, hoping for a glimpse of the singer. One fan, Candy, 35, who lives locally, told the BBC she had cancelled her plans to spend the day outside the court building.
“I’ve followed him since I was 14,” she said. “When I heard about his arrest, I couldn’t sleep.”
“I’m just here to support him,” she said.
“I love his music, his voice. Even my children are fans now.”
