Chris Brown will remain in police custody following his arrest in the United Kingdom on a charge of grievous bodily harm, according to a ruling handed down Friday by Judge Joanne Hirst. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 13 at Southwark Crown Court in London.
The charge stems from an alleged altercation at Tape nightclub in London’s upscale Mayfair district on February 19, 2023. Brown is accused of attacking music producer Abe Diaw, reportedly striking him multiple times with a bottle of Don Julio 1942 tequila and continuing the assault after Diaw was unconscious.
According to the Metropolitan Police, Brown had been slated to appear before Manchester Magistrates’ Court at 10 AM on Friday. His arrest occurred shortly after his private jet touched down in Manchester, and he was reportedly taken into custody at a local hotel.
Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor Adele Kelly of CPS London North confirmed the charge and emphasized that the case is active. She reminded the public that Brown has the right to a fair trial and urged people to refrain from sharing or posting any information or commentary that could influence the proceedings.
Diaw filed a civil lawsuit against Brown last year, claiming he sustained severe injuries from the alleged assault, including being stomped while unconscious. His attorney, Ryan J. Daneshrad, responded to Brown’s arrest by noting the gravity of his client’s condition and asserting they intend to pursue all legal options to hold Brown accountable.
As of now, Brown has not issued a public statement, and the singer’s representatives have not responded to requests for comment.
Despite the serious nature of the charges, Brown is still scheduled to perform two concerts in Manchester in June as part of his “Breezy Bowl XX” tour. It remains unclear whether those shows will be canceled or rescheduled in light of the legal proceedings.