Controversial R&B singer Chris Brown has been charged with grievous bodily harm (GBH) after being arrested at a Manchester hotel last Thursday (May 15).
The alleged assault took place at the Tape nightclub in Mayfair, London. It is claimed that Brown, 36, attacked music producer Abe Diaw with a bottle in February 2023.
Diaw claimed that he was hit over the head with a bottle before being punched and kicked as he lay on the floor. He was then taken to hospital after his knee collapsed and needed crutches after being discharged.
Brown is yet to enter a plea after appearing in Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Friday (May 16), where he was told that the case will be moved to Southwark Crown Court in London with the next hearing being set for June 13.
The ‘Beautiful People’ singer was about to embark on a European and UK tour next month, with the first show scheduled for Amsterdam on 8 June before heading back to the UK. He was due to perform in Manchester, Cardiff, London, Birmingham and Glasgow.
Whether these shows take place is now up in the air after this recent arrest. His presence in the UK was pointed out to the Met Police by The Sun.
The outlet became aware that the singer had flew into Manchester Airport on a private jet, when they decided to ask the police whether Brown was under arrest. This led to Met detectives travelling to Manchester and arresting the 36 year old at The Lowry Hotel in Salford at 2am.
A Met spokesman told BBC News details of the situation, saying: “A 36-year old man was arrested at a hotel in Manchester shortly after 02:00hrs on Thursday 15 May on suspicion of grievous bodily harm.
“He has been taken into custody where he remains. The arrest relates to an incident at a venue in Hanover Square on 19 February 2023.
“The investigation is being led by detectives from the Central West Area Basic Command Unit.”
After Brown’s arrest, a second man has now been charged with GBH linking to the same incident. 38-year old rapper Omololu Akinlolu, better know by his stage name HoodyBaby, was reprimanded on Saturday (May 17) for his involvement in the alleged attack on Abe Diaw.
Brown and Akinlolu will now remain in custody until they appear for a plea and trial preparation in London on 13 June.
This does not mark the first time Brown has faced legal troubles due to violence, after he was famously charged with felony assault following a domestic violence incident with then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009.
Fans of the R&B singer will be hoping this situation gets cleared up quickly if they wish to see him play in the UK this summer, although the chances now look slim.
