LONDON — Singer Chris Brown has pleaded not guilty in connection with an alleged 2023 London nightclub attack and will face trial next year.
Brown, wearing a navy blue, three-piece suit, appeared at London's Southwark Crown to enter a not guilty plea to one count of attempting to cause "grievous bodily harm" in connection with an altercation in February 2023, when he is allegedly to have attacked a music producer with a bottle. He is also charged with one count of assault and one count of possessing an offensive weapon and will enter pleas on those charges a later.
When he was asked for his plea, he said: "Not guilty, ma'am."
Omololu Akinlolu, an American rapper who performs under the name "Hoody Baby," also pleaded not guilty to the same charge of attempting to cause "grievous bodily harm.”
Akinlolu and Brown are accused of attacking music producer Abe Diaw at Tape nightclub in London's upmarket Mayfair district.
Brown, 36, was arrested at a Manchester hotel last month as he prepared for a series of shows in the country. He faces a prison sentence of two to 16 years if he is convicted.
The pair will appear in court again in July, and their trial date has been set for Oct. 26, 2026.
Brown was remanded in custody after an initial hearing at Manchester Magistrates' Court last month and was freed after he met a 5 million-pound bond ($6.7 million).
Brown's tour has started regardless of the legal case, having kicked off in Manchester on Sunday . He played in Cardiff, Wales, on Thursday.
He will play the 60,000-capacity Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, followed by dates in Birmingham, Glasgow, Ireland and the United States.
