US singer Chris Brown has received an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, over an attack on music producer Abraham Diaw at a London nightclub in February 2023.
Brown, 37, pleaded guilty to affray in July after CCTV footage showed him striking Diaw with a glass tequila bottle at Tape nightclub in Mayfair.
Judge Tony Baumgartner handed down the sentence at Southwark Crown Court on Monday, describing Brown’s repeated use of the bottle, particularly against the victim’s head, as “plainly dangerous”.
The judge acknowledged that the incident lasted about 20 seconds but said the violence during that period was intense.
Brown’s co-defendant and vocal coach, Omololu Akinlolu, 40, also pleaded guilty to affray and received a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.
Both men were ordered to pay £1,500 each towards prosecution costs.
The incident occurred in the early hours of February 19, 2023, in the VIP area of Tape nightclub.
Prosecutors told the court that Brown approached Diaw on the dance floor and struck him twice on the head with a heavy, square-shaped tequila bottle. He then hit him on the shoulder and attempted another strike.
The attack lasted approximately 17 to 20 seconds.
Akinlolu also became involved in the violence. The court heard that he grabbed Diaw in a bear hug as the incident continued.
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Diaw sustained head and knee injuries and received hospital treatment.
The judge said the repeated use of a glass bottle posed a risk of causing significantly more serious injuries than those ultimately sustained.
Baumgartner also noted that Akinlolu did not initiate the violence but became an active participant and played a significant role.
During sentencing, the court considered Brown’s guilty plea, charitable activities, responsibilities as a father of four and record in the years following his previous violence-related convictions in 2009 and 2013.
His defence described the incident as “ugly and unattractive” but short-lived, and said the singer offered a “profound apology” to those present.
The judge acknowledged the mitigating factors but stressed that Brown’s fame and commercial success did not entitle him to preferential treatment.
Brown’s defence also presented him as a dedicated father who had largely led a law-abiding life since 2013.
The court assessed his risk of reoffending as low.
More serious charges, including assault, attempting to cause grievous bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon, were dropped after Brown and Akinlolu pleaded guilty to affray.
Affray is an offence under the Public Order Act involving the use or threat of unlawful violence in circumstances that would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at the scene to fear for their safety. The offence carries a maximum sentence of three years’ imprisonment.
BBC News
