Chris Brown appears UK court over 2023 nightclub assault charges

US singer Chris Brown appeared unexpectedly in a London court for a hearing ahead of his 2026 trial on charges of attacking music producer Abraham Diaw with a bottle in a nightclub in 2023. Brown, 36, has denied attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm and assault causing actual bodily harm, with prosecutors describing the incident as an unprovoked attack involving multiple blows with a bottle followed by punching and kicking. The trial, set for October 2026, will also involve co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu, who has similarly denied the charges. Brown was arrested in May at a Manchester hotel upon returning to the UK for the first time since the alleged attack but was granted bail after paying £5 million, allowing him to continue his 'Breezy Bowl XX' tour. During the court appearance, Brown confirmed his identity but did not enter a plea. The attack, described by prosecutors as extremely serious and captured on CCTV, reportedly left the victim repeatedly assaulted while on the nightclub floor.