Chris Brown receives suspended sentence for 2023 London nightclub assault

Grammy-winning singer Chris Brown was sentenced on Monday at Southwark Crown Court to an eight-month term, suspended for a year, for an assault that took place in February 2023 at Tape, a private nightclub in London’s Mayfair district. Brown pleaded guilty to a count of affray after video evidence showed him striking former friend Abraham Diaw twice in the head with a tequila bottle.

"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," Judge Tony Baumgartner said.

The judge cited Brown’s guilty plea, stable employment and charitable activities as mitigating factors, noting that despite prior convictions, he had maintained a clean record in recent years. In exchange for the plea, prosecutors dropped additional charges of assault, attempted grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon.

Prosecutor Heidi Stonecliffe said Brown played a leading role in the incident, adding that the footage clearly shows him initiating the attack. Defense lawyer Sallie Bennett-Jenkins said Brown apologized to those present and emphasized that the confrontation lasted no more than 20 seconds.

"This is an ugly and unattractive incident," Bennett-Jenkins said. "It is something which undoubtedly would have caused distress to those who are present and for which Mr. Brown … offers a profound apology to all those present."

Diaw was discharged from hospital with head and knee injuries. Brown’s vocal coach and friend, Omololu Akinlolu, also pleaded guilty to affray and received a four-month suspended sentence.

The singer left the United Kingdom after the brawl but was arrested in May 2025 at a Manchester hotel while on tour. He had been released on a £5 million bail that allowed him to continue performing in Europe and North America.