Grammy-winning singer Chris Brown has been given a suspended eight-month sentence, sparing him jail time, over an attack on a music producer at a London nightclub in 2023, Variety reported on 26 October. Prosecutors had described the assault as “vicious and unprovoked”.
Brown pleaded guilty in July to one count of affray at Southwark Crown Court. Before sentencing, Judge Tony Baumgartner warned him: “I take account of your employment and long-established career in music. Your fame, commercial success and professional standing do not entitle you to special treatment. The law applies equally to everyone.”
His co-defendant, Omololu Akinlolu, a Florida rapper also known as HoodyBaby, had also pleaded guilty. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) described him as Brown's vocal coach. He received four months, suspended for 12 months.
The attack at Tape London
Southwark Crown Court heard in July that the pair attacked Abraham Diaw at the Tape London nightclub in February 2023. Brown was accused of hitting Diaw on the head twice with a tequila bottle while Akinlolu punched him.
“They continued their assault whilst the victim attempted to flee through the club,” the CPS said in a statement. “The victim was kicked while he was seated defenseless on the floor.”
After securing the conviction, Claire Campbell, a senior prosecutor at CPS London South, said: “This was a vicious and unprovoked attack by Brown and Akinlolu in a crowded nightclub where Brown used a glass bottle as a weapon to strike the victim's head twice.”
Both men had denied charges of assault and grievous bodily harm, and Brown also denied having an offensive weapon. Those charges were later dropped.
Timeline of the case
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| February 2023 | Abraham Diaw is attacked at the Tape London nightclub |
| After the attack | Diaw is treated in hospital for head and knee injuries; a warrant is issued for Brown and Akinlolu, who have already left the UK |
| May 2025 | Brown is arrested on returning to the UK to perform in Manchester on his world tour |
| July 2026 | Brown pleads guilty to affray at Southwark Crown Court |
| 26 October 2026 | Variety reports the sentences: eight months suspended for Brown, four months suspended for 12 months for Akinlolu |
What's next
According to Variety, the suspended term means Brown avoids prison. With the more serious charges dropped, affray is the only offence he stands convicted of in this case, while Akinlolu's four-month term is suspended for 12 months.
The sentence comes more than three and a half years after the night at Tape London, and almost a year and a half after Brown's arrest on his return to the UK for his tour.