American R&B singer Chris Brown is scheduled to appear in a UK court on Friday following his arrest and charge related to an alleged assault at a London nightclub in 2023, according to the Metropolitan Police.
Brown, 36, widely known for early hits like “Kiss Kiss”, was taken into custody in the early hours of Thursday at the luxury Lowry Hotel in Manchester. Authorities confirmed that he remains in custody and will appear before a court in the northwestern city at 10:00 am (0900 GMT).
The assault charge stems from an incident that reportedly took place at Tape nightclub in Hanover Square, an upscale area in London’s Mayfair district, on February 19, 2023. The alleged victim is music producer Abe Diaw, who, according to The Sun, was attacked by Brown with a bottle.
At the time of the alleged incident, Brown was on a UK tour. He reportedly arrived back in the country on Wednesday via private jet into Manchester Airport, ahead of another planned world tour that includes several UK performances in June and July.
Brown has been charged with “grievous bodily harm with intent,” police said in their statement.
A Troubled History
Despite global fame and record sales in the tens of millions, Brown’s career has long been overshadowed by numerous legal issues and accusations of violence.
His most infamous legal case came in 2009, when he was convicted of felony assault after physically attacking then-girlfriend and pop icon Rihanna on the eve of the Grammy Awards. The brutal incident forced Rihanna to cancel her appearance at the ceremony and sparked widespread condemnation.
In 2012, Brown was involved in a violent altercation at a New York nightclub with members of rapper Drake’s entourage, during which NBA star Tony Parker sustained an eye injury from a glass bottle.
In 2014, Brown pleaded guilty to assaulting a fan in Washington, D.C. He was later arrested in 2016 following allegations from a woman who claimed he had pointed a gun at her in Los Angeles. That same year, another woman accused him of battery in Las Vegas.
In 2019, Brown was briefly detained in Paris after being accused of rape by a woman in a luxury hotel. He denied the allegations and was released without charges.
From a small-town church choir in Virginia to global stardom, Brown’s career continues to be marked by both musical acclaim and repeated legal troubles. His upcoming court appearance will determine how his legal status might impact his scheduled international tour.
