US singer Chris Brown has pleaded not guilty to an assault charge after an alleged bottle attack at a London nightclub two years ago.<\/p>\n
The 36-year-old is accused of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to music producer Abraham Diaw during an incident that prosecutors have described as “unprovoked”, News.Az<\/a> reports, citing foreign media<\/a>.<\/p>\n Brown also faces charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and having an offensive weapon – namely a tequila bottle. Both relate to the same incident, and were added to his indictment ahead of Friday’s hearing.<\/p>\n The judge adjourned arraignment on those two counts, meaning Brown will not have to enter a plea until 11 July. He will then face trial on 26 October, 2026.<\/p>\n The US singer appeared at Southwark Crown Court to deny the charge of grievous bodily harm, hours after playing to thousands of fans at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.<\/p>\n Wearing an ocean blue suit and black-rimmed glasses, the musician was silent as he walked past a large group of photographers when he arrived at the court on Friday morning.<\/p>\n Five or six fans were outside the court to offer their support. More crowded into the courtroom to watch the proceedings.<\/p>\n After taking the dock, Brown smiled and winked to a woman in the courtroom, while waiting for His Honour Judge Baumgartner to arrive.<\/p>\n He confirmed his name and date of birth, 5 May 1989, before the judge asked for his plea on the charge of grievous bodily harm. “Not guilty, ma’am,” Brown replied.<\/p>\n Brown’s co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu, a 39-year-old American who performs under the name HoodyBaby, also entered a not guilty plea to the charge of grievous bodily harm.<\/p>\n Brown was arrested at the five-star Lowry hotel in Salford, Greater Manchester, last month, after arriving in the UK to prepare for a string of European tour dates.<\/p>\n He was held in custody for almost a week, before being released after agreeing to pay a \u00a35m security fee to the court.<\/p>\n A security fee is a financial guarantee to ensure a defendant returns to court. Mr Brown could be asked to forfeit the money if he breaches bail conditions.<\/p>\n Mr Brown is one of the biggest stars in US R&B, with two Grammy Awards, and 19 top 10 singles in the UK – including hits like Turn Up The Music, Freaky Friday, With You and Don’t Wake Me Up.<\/p>\n Last week, he won the prize for best male R&B\/pop artist at the BET Awards in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n