American R&B artist Chris Brown pleaded not guilty in a UK court on Friday to a charge related to an alleged altercation at a London nightclub in 2023.
The 36-year-old singer, dressed in a dark suit and tie with glasses, stood in the dock in London as the charge was presented to him, responding with, “Not guilty, ma’am.”
Brown, who is on £5 million ($6.7 million) bail, acknowledged the public gallery with a wave as he departed after entering his plea concerning the alleged attempt to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.
A trial expected to last five to seven days has been scheduled to commence on October 26, 2026. The artist was arrested in Manchester in May and held in custody for nearly a week before being released on bail.
If he fails to appear for court proceedings, he will lose the £5 million bail guarantee per his release conditions.
He was also granted permission to proceed with his planned international tour, which kicked off on June 8 in Amsterdam.
The singer, who has had a tumultuous relationship with Barbadian artist Rihanna, is currently on the UK segment of his tour, with his next performance set for London on Saturday.
Brown faces accusations of attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm with intent related to an assault where the alleged victim was reportedly struck multiple times with a bottle and followed up with punches and kicks. The supposed incident occurred at a nightclub in Hanover Square, London, on February 19, 2023, while Brown was on tour in the UK.
He was apprehended by police in the early hours of May 13 at a luxury hotel in Manchester after arriving by private jet. Additional bail conditions stipulate that he must surrender his passport if he is not travelling.
He must also reside at a specific address recognised by the court. He is prohibited from visiting the nightclub where the alleged attack took place or contacting the alleged victim, Abraham Diah.
Brown appeared in court alongside co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu, a US citizen, with whom he shares the same charges. Akinlolu also pleaded not guilty to the same accusation of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent. Both individuals are additionally charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The court was informed that they are set to submit pleas regarding that charge on July 11.
Brown faces a separate charge of possessing an offensive weapon, specifically a bottle, in public.
He is also scheduled to perform in France, Portugal, and the US later in the year, with the tour concluding in Memphis by mid-October.
