Chris Brown pleads not guilty to assault and weapon charges; trial set for Oct 2026
A 36-year-old US musician, identified as Brown, pleaded not guilty at Southwark Crown Court to charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) and possession of an offensive weapon (a bottle) in a public place.
These charges relate to an alleged incident on February 19, 2023, at the Tape venue in Mayfair, involving Abraham Diaw. Brown had previously denied a more serious charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent to Mr. Diaw last month.
Brown's co-defendant, 39-year-old US national Omololu Akinlolu (also known as rapper Hoody Baby), also pleaded not guilty to assaulting Mr. Diaw occasioning actual bodily harm.
Akinlolu had also previously denied attempting to cause grievous bodily harm.
Both defendants were present in court for the plea hearing, which is part of the preparations for their five to seven-day trial scheduled to begin on October 26, 2026.
Approximately 20 fans were in attendance in the public gallery during the hearing.