Chris Brown Pleads Not Guilty In UK Assault Case

Popular American R&B singer Chris Brown has pleaded not guilty in his ongoing assault case before a UK court.

The singer who appeared before the court on Friday made his plea to the charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent during an alleged London nightclub brawl in 2023.

AFP reports that Brown was in a dark suit and tie and wearing glasses when he was in court on Friday morning, standing in the dock at Southwark Crown Court in London as the charge was put to him.

His response: “Not guilty, ma’am,” to the charge.

Brown was freed from UK custody in May on £5 million ($6.7 million) bail after his arrest in the northwestern city of Manchester.

The singer is charged with “grievous bodily harm with intent” in relation to an assault in which the victim was allegedly struck several times with a bottle before being pursued, punched and kicked.

The alleged incident occurred at a nightclub in Hanover Square, London, on February 19, 2023, while Brown was touring in the UK.

He was detained by police in the early hours of May 13 at a five-star hotel in Manchester, after reportedly arriving by private jet.

His co-defendant, Omolulu Akinlolu, 38, also pleaded not guilty to the charge of attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm.

The pair were granted bail until their next court appearance on July 11, when they may be asked to enter a plea to a less serious charge of assault causing actual bodily harm.

Brown is also charged with having an offensive weapon, namely a bottle, but was not asked to enter a plea on Friday.

Their trial is scheduled to begin on October 26, 2026.

Brown, a two-time Grammy Award winner known for hits such as “Loyal”, “Run It” and “Under the Influence”, was granted bail in May after promising to pay a £5 million ($6.7 million) security fee in order to begin his “Breezy Bowl XX” tour.