Manchester, UK – US R&B singer Chris Brown was remanded in custody in the United Kingdom after he was arrested on charges of grievous bodily harm with intent. The allegations follow an alleged February 2023 assault at a London nightclub. Brown, who is 36 years old, was arrested on May 15, 2025, at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester and was presented at Manchester Magistrates’ Court the next day when his bail application was rejected.
The alleged incident took place at Tape nightclub in Mayfair, London, in which Brown is said to have hit music producer Abraham Diaw with Don Julio 1942 tequila. Prosecutors say once Brown hit Diaw with the bottle, he continued to punch and kick him, landing major injuries such as head laceration and ligament tears. The entire event was reportedly captured on surveillance footage.
Diaw has since launched a civil lawsuit against Brown, requesting £12 million ($16 million) damages for the physical damage and emotional suffering he alleges to have experienced.
Legal Proceedings
At the May 16 court hearing, District Judge Joanne Hirst refused Brown’s request to be granted bail, citing seriousness in the charges as well as possible flight. Brown will appear before Southwark Crown Court in London on June 13, 2025, for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
Aside from Brown, another American rapper, Omololu Akinlolu, age 38, known professionally as HoodyBaby, has also been charged related to the same incident. He is expected to appear in court individually.
Impact on Upcoming Tour
Brown’s arrest and remand have thrown doubts on his forthcoming world tour, which was scheduled to start in Amsterdam on June 8, 2025. With court hearings lined up for June 13, shows in Germany and other European nations could be impacted. Promoters and fans await formal announcements about possible cancellations or postponements of tour dates.
Background and Previous Legal Issues
Chris Brown’s history of run-ins with the law began in 2009, when he pleaded guilty to felony assault on then-girlfriend Rihanna. Since then, he has accumulated numerous allegations and charges, including assault, battery, and restraining orders filed by multiple people. In 2024, a documentary called “Chris Brown: A History of Violence” caused renewed public backlash, prompting Brown to sue Warner Bros. for $500 million defamation.
The present charges have a maximum punishment of 16 years’ imprisonment in the UK law. As the legal proceedings continue, Brown’s professional career and image both take a major hit.
