American R&B singer Chris Brown has pleaded guilty to affray following an unprovoked attack on music producer Abe Diaw at a private members’ club in Mayfair, London, in February 2023.
The 37-year-old artist and his vocal coach, 40-year-old Florida rapper Omololu Akinlolu (known as Hoody Baby), both entered guilty pleas at Southwark Crown Court during a brief hearing on Friday. In exchange, prosecutors dropped more severe charges against both men, including assault, attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, and possession of an offensive weapon.
“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,” stated Claire Campbell, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS London South. “This kind of violence is entirely unacceptable, and we will work tirelessly to prove that no one is above the law.”
Details of the assault and upcoming sentencing
Police evidence and CCTV footage showed Brown striking Diaw twice on the head with a bottle of tequila before Diaw was chased, pushed to the ground, and kicked. The victim required medical treatment for head and knee injuries following the incident.
Affray carries a maximum sentence of up to three years in prison under UK law. Both Brown and Akinlolu remain on bail and are scheduled to be sentenced in October.
