Singer Chris Brown pleads not guilty to 2 further charges over London nightclub assault case

LONDON (AP) — Grammy-winning singer Chris Brown on Friday pleaded not guilty to two further charges related to the serious beating of a music producer with a bottle in a London nightclub in 2023.

Brown, 36, denied the more serious charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm at a hearing last month.

The singer, wearing a light brown suit, pleaded not guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm to Abraham Diaw at the Tape nightclub in the swanky London neighborhood of Mayfair in February 2023.

He also denied having an offensive weapon — a bottle — in a public place during the short hearing at Southwark Crown Court.

Around 20 fans sat in the public gallery behind the dock for Friday’s hearing, with several gasping as the singer of “Go Crazy,” “Run It” and “Kiss Kiss” walked into the courtroom.

Co-defendant — Brown's friend and fellow musician — Omololu Akinlolu, 39, also denied actual bodily harm on Friday.

The 2023 attack was caught on surveillance camera in front of a club full of people, prosecutors said.

Brown was released in May on bail of 5 million pounds ($6.75 million), which allowed him to start his “Breezy Bowl XX” tour. Following a series of dates in Europe, he's set to return to North America at the end of July to play in Miami, before moving across the U.S. with a two-night stop in Toronto along the way.

Brown, who rose to stardom as a teen in 2005, won his first Grammy for best R&B album in 2011 for “F.A.M.E..” He earned his second in the same category for “11:11 (Deluxe)” earlier this year.

US R&B singer Chris Brown arrives at Southwark Crown Court, south London, Friday July 11, 2025, where he is charged over an alleged assault in a London nightclub. (James Manning/PA via AP)

Grammy-winning singer Chris Brown makes his way into Southwark Crown Court, in London, Friday, July 11, 2025.(AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Grammy-winning singer Chris Brown makes his way into Southwark Crown Court, in London, Friday, July 11, 2025.(AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Grammy-winning singer Chris Brown makes his way into Southwark Crown Court, in London, Friday, July 11, 2025.(AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Grammy-winning singer Chris Brown makes his way into Southwark Crown Court, in London, Friday, July 11, 2025.(AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Sacramento Kings star Domantas Sabonis returned Friday night against Washington after missing 27 games because of a partially torn meniscus in his left knee.

The three-time All-Star forward/center came off the bench against the Wizards, entering with 5:11 left in the first quarter. He had eight points, five rebounds and an assist in 9:58 in the first half to help the Kings take a 67-61 lead.

Sabonis averaged 17.2 points and 12.3 rebounds in his first 11 games this season.

Dennis Schroder also was back for the Kings after serving a three-game suspension for confronting Lakers star Luka Doncic after a game in Los Angeles on Dec. 28. Schroder had six points in the half.

The Kings won the first three games of their seven-game homestand, topping Houston, the Los Angeles Lakers and New York to improve to 11-30.

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Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)