Rapper Chris Brown has been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent over an alleged attack of a music producer with a bottle at a London nightclub two years ago.
Metropolitan Police has confirmed the charge against the 36-year-old American musician, who remains in custody. Brown was arrested at 2am on Thursday at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester.
He is set to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court at 10am on Friday, 16 May.
The charge relates to an alleged incident in which Brown is claimed to have injured music producer Abe Diaw at Tape nightclub in Hanover Square, London, on Sunday, February 19, 2023.
Mr Diaw has previously claimed Brown assaulted him in an unprovoked attack when the rapper and his entourage were at a club night called ‘Dirty Martini’.
The producer has alleged that Brown hit over the head with a bottle two or three times and then punched and kicked him as he lay on the floor.
Adele Kelly, deputy chief crown prosecutor for CPS London North, added in a statement: ‘We have authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Chris Brown with one count of grievous bodily harm, contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
‘The alleged incident occurred in London on February, 19 2023.
Rapper Chris Brown has been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent over an alleged attack of a music producer with a bottle at a London nightclub two years ago
Chris Brown remains in custody tonight and is set to appear tomorrow at Manchester Magistrates’ Court
‘He will have his first court appearance on Friday, May 16 at Manchester Magistrates’ Court.
‘The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.
‘It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.’
Brown is due to play ten more dates in Britain and Ireland next month as part of his Breezy Bowl XX tour.
These gigs begin at Co-op Live in Manchester on June 15 and conclude at the same venue on July 3.
He is also due to play at Villa Park in Birmingham, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London and Hampden Park in Glasgow.
Other venues include the Principality Stadium in Cardiff and Rathfarnham in Ireland.
The incident allegedly happened at Tape nightclub in London’s Mayfair in 2023 (file picture)
Brown was arrested at 2am on Thursday at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester, before being charged hours later with GBH with intent
Brown rose to fame at a young age with his rich R&B voice and later rap, and was also known for having a relationship with fellow music star Rihanna.
He released his debut album Chris Brown in 2005 and has since released a further ten studio albums and 64 singles.
Some of his biggest hits have included Run It!, Yo (Excuse Me Miss) and No Air, a collaboration with Jordin Sparks.