Chris Brown avoids prison time for brawling at London nightclub

R&B singer Chris Brown was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on Monday to eight months' imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, for affray over an attack at Tape, a private club in Mayfair, London, in February 2023. Brown pleaded guilty to affray in July. CCTV footage shown in court reportedly showed him striking former friend Abraham Diaw with a tequila bottle, twice to the head. Judge Tony Baumgartner called the attack "plainly dangerous" but said Brown did not qualify for a custodial sentence given his guilty plea and mitigating factors including stable employment and charity work. Prosecutor Heidi Stonecliffe said Brown played a leading role. Defence lawyer Sallie Bennett-Jenkins said Brown apologised and that the attack lasted about 20 seconds. Brown's vocal coach Omololu Akinlolu, 40, received a suspended four-month sentence for affray.

Where accounts differ. Hindustan Times says Brown was taken into custody at a Manchester hotel and gives a different account of his bail and charges, while other outlets say he was arrested in May 2025 and released on £5 million bail; Hindustan Times also reports he pleaded not guilty to a separate charge that other outlets say was dropped.

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