Brown appeared at Manchester Magistrates' Court, where he was charged with one count of causing grievous bodily harm. Judge Joanne Hirst denied Brown's request for bail, ordering him to remain in custody until his next hearing scheduled for June 13th in London. This date coincides with his planned performance in Frankfurt, Germany, the third stop on his international tour.
Prosecutor Hannah Nicholls argued against Brown's release, describing the alleged crime as "extremely serious." Nicholls stated that Brown, who was in the UK for a tour in February 2023, launched an "unprovoked attack" on music producer Abe Diaw at the Tape nightclub in London's Mayfair district. According to Nicholls, Brown allegedly struck Diaw multiple times with a bottle before pursuing him and continuing the assault with punches and kicks, all captured on surveillance footage in front of numerous witnesses.
Defense attorney Grace Forbes argued that the American singer posed no flight risk and should be granted bail. However, the judge sided with the prosecution.
Brown, dressed in sweatpants and a black T-shirt with bleached blonde hair, stood flanked by court officers in the dock. He confirmed his name, Christopher Maurice Brown, and his date of birth, stating his address as the Lowry Hotel, where he was arrested early Thursday.
The case has now been transferred to Southwark Crown Court in London, where Brown is expected to enter a plea to the charge. As of Friday evening, a representative for Chris Brown had not responded to requests for comment from The Associated Press.
Chris Brown, often referred to by his nickname "Breezy," rose to fame as a teenager in 2005 and has since become a prominent figure in the music industry, known for hits like "Run It," "Kiss Kiss," and "Without You." He has garnered two Grammy Awards for Best R&B Album, first in 2011 for "F.A.M.E." and most recently earlier this year for "11:11 (Deluxe)."
The singer's "Breezy Bowl XX" international tour is scheduled to commence next month, featuring artists Jhene Aiko, Summer Walker, and Bryson Tiller. The European leg is set to begin on June 8th in Amsterdam, followed by North American dates starting in July. However, Brown's current detention casts a significant shadow over these plans, potentially leading to cancellations or postponements.