American R&B singer Chris Brown has been formally charged with grievous bodily harm with intent following his arrest in Manchester during the early hours of Thursday morning. The charges stem from a February 2023 incident at Tape nightclub in Mayfair, where Brown allegedly attacked music producer Abe Diaw with a bottle.
The 36-year-old Grammy-winning artist was detained at The Lowry Hotel shortly after 2am on 15 May, following coordination between the Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester authorities. He remains in custody.
CPS Confirms Prosecution
Adele Kelly, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London North, confirmed the charge:
“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 19 February 2023.”
Brown is expected to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 16 May 2025.
What Happened?
Producer Abe Diaw alleges that Brown struck him over the head with a bottle, then punched and kicked him while he was on the ground during a Dirty Martini night at Tape nightclub. The reported attack left Diaw hospitalized and later prompted a $16 million (£12 million) civil claim for damages.
According to police, the arrest was pre-planned after Brown arrived in the UK on a private jet on Wednesday, reportedly to rehearse for his UK tour, set to begin on 15 June in Manchester.
Tour Uncertainty
The singer’s “Breezy Bowl XX Tour”, a 20th-anniversary celebration of his career, is now under scrutiny. Scheduled to begin on 8 June in Amsterdam, the UK leg includes major stadium venues:
- Jun 15–16: Co-Op Live, Manchester
- Jun 19: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
- Jun 21: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
- Jun 26: Villa Park Stadium, Birmingham
- Jul 1: Hampden Park, Glasgow
Tour opener Bryson Tiller is expected to join Brown across the European and UK dates.
Public and Legal Caution
The Crown Prosecution Service has urged the public and media to avoid prejudicing the case:
“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
The Met Police’s Central West Area Command continues to lead the investigation.
Background
Chris Brown, who first rose to fame in 2005, has a history of legal trouble, most notably the 2009 assault of singer Rihanna. This latest charge places renewed scrutiny on the artist ahead of a major international tour.
