London Court: Chris Brown Receives Eight Month Suspended Term
The singer was sentenced after admitting to striking a man in the head with a glass bottle at a Mayfair club in 2023.
By Ivan Mori ·
Chris Brown, 37, received a suspended prison sentence on Monday for an assault at a private club in central London.
The incident occurred in February 2023 at the Tape club in Mayfair. Brown, who is from California, struck Abraham Diaw, a former friend, with a tequila bottle on the dancefloor. His vocal coach, Omololu Akinlolu, 40, also participated in the attack. The pair admitted to affray earlier this year.
Southwark Crown Court handed down the verdict this week. Brown was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 12 months. Akinlolu received a four month term, also suspended for 12 months. Both men must pay 1,500 pounds in costs.
Prosecutor Heidi Stonecliffe KC described the weapon as a heavy, square shaped bottle. She told the court that Brown hit Diaw twice on the left side of his head. Diaw then turned away, and Brown delivered further blows. Akinlolu held Diaw in a bear hug while Brown threw additional punches. The altercation lasted approximately 20 seconds and took place at 3 am.
CCTV footage showed Brown striking Diaw four times in total. The clips also captured Brown being pulled away from the victim. During the hearing, Brown sat in the dock looking at the floor. The public gallery was full.
Judge Baumgartner noted that commercial success does not grant preferential treatment in court. He stated that the repeated use of a glass bottle aimed at the head was plainly dangerous. The judge warned that the risk of more serious injury was present. Brown is scheduled to serve his suspended term if he commits another offense within the next year.
