Chris Brown sentenced over London nightclub attack

Brown struck man twice with tequila bottle, court hears

The American singer, 37, was sentenced over an attack on Abraham Diaw at Tape London in Mayfair in May 2023. 

Brown admitted affray, as did his vocal coach, Omololu Akinlolu, who was also involved in the incident.

Akinlolu, 40, received a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. Both men must also contribute £1,500 towards legal costs.

The court heard that the confrontation unfolded on the club's dancefloor, where Brown approached Diaw carrying a glass tequila bottle. 

He then hit Diaw on the head twice, with the blows directed at the left side of his head.

According to prosecutors, Akinlolu joined the attack shortly afterwards, punching Diaw in the head. 

The violence continued as Diaw attempted to get away from the pair, with prosecutors telling the court he was kicked while sitting on the floor, unable to defend himself.

Diaw was later treated at St Mary's Hospital for injuries to his head and knee.

Assault and weapon charges dropped after Brown’s guilty plea

Judge Tony Baumgartner addressed the seriousness of Brown's actions when passing sentence, warning that repeatedly hitting someone over the head with a glass bottle could have resulted in much more severe injuries.

“You, Brown, were holding a tequila bottle in your right hand, when you reached Diaw you struck him to the left side of his head whilst holding his hood,” he said.

“The repeated use of a glass bottle in that way, especially aimed at the head, was plainly dangerous, it carried the risk of delivering a more serious injury than was ultimately sustained.”

Brown's guilty plea meant prosecutors abandoned three other charges: assault, attempting to cause grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon.