American R&B singer Chris Brown has been arrested and charged with grievous bodily harm with intent in connection to an alleged assault that occurred at a London nightclub in February 2023. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the 36-year-old artist was taken into custody at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester in the early hours of Thursday, May 15, 2025.Brown is scheduled to appear before Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Friday, May 16, 2025.
The charge stems from an incident at Tape nightclub in Mayfair, London, where Brown is accused of attacking music producer Abe Diaw with a bottle of Don Julio 1942 tequila. Diaw alleges that Brown struck him over the head with the bottle and then proceeded to punch and kick him, rendering him unconscious. The producer sustained serious injuries, including head lacerations and torn leg ligaments, requiring hospitalization.
In October 2023, Diaw filed a civil lawsuit against Brown, seeking £12 million ($16 million) in damages. The lawsuit also accuses Brown of spreading defamatory rumors intended to damage Diaw’s professional relationships.
The arrest comes just weeks before Brown was set to embark on his “Breezy Bowl XX” tour, celebrating 20 years in the music industry. The tour includes scheduled performances in major UK cities such as Manchester, Cardiff, London, Birmingham, and Glasgow in June and July. It remains unclear how the legal proceedings will impact the tour schedule.
Brown’s legal history includes a 2009 felony assault conviction involving then-girlfriend Rihanna and a 2017 restraining order obtained by ex-girlfriend Karrueche Tran. He has also faced various lawsuits and allegations over the years, some of which have been settled or dismissed.
The Crown Prosecution Service’s Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor, Adele Kelly, emphasized the importance of a fair trial, stating,
“Criminal proceedings against this defendant are active, and he has the right to a fair trial.”
Authorities have urged the public and media to refrain from commentary or online sharing that could prejudice the proceedings.
As the case unfolds, further updates will be provided regarding the legal proceedings and any potential impact on Brown’s upcoming tour. (c) Reuters 2025
