Grammy-winning singer Chris Brown will not be going to prison after a court in London handed him a suspended sentence on Monday for attacking a music producer with a tequila bottle at a nightclub three years ago. The 37-year-old singer was given an eight-month sentence, but the sentence has been suspended for one year, which means he will not serve it as long as he stays out of trouble.
The incident happened in February 2023 on the dance floor of Tape, a private club in the upscale Mayfair area of London. Video footage shown in court showed Brown striking his former friend, Abraham Diaw, twice in the head with a bottle. Security and others had to pull him away. Diaw was taken to hospital and was later discharged with head and knee injuries.
Brown initially faced serious charges, including attempting to cause grievous bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon. However, he pleaded guilty to affray, which is the use or threat of unlawful violence that makes someone fear for their safety. In return, prosecutors dropped the more serious charges. His friend and vocal coach, Omololu Akinlolu, also pleaded guilty to affray and received a four-month suspended sentence.
Prosecutor Heidi Stonecliffe told the court that Brown played the leading role in the fight. She said that when you watch the footage, it is clear that Brown made the first move. Judge Tony Baumgartner agreed that the repeated use of a glass bottle, especially aimed at the head, was very dangerous and could have caused far worse injuries than what Diaw actually suffered. Even so, the judge said Brown did not qualify for a prison sentence. He pointed to Brown's guilty plea, his stable employment, and the charity work he has done as reasons for the lighter punishment.
Brown's lawyer, Sallie Bennett-Jenkins, told the court that her client had apologised to everyone at the club that night. She also stressed that the whole attack lasted no more than 20 seconds. She described the incident as ugly and unattractive, and said it would have been very upsetting for everyone who witnessed it. Brown himself has said he is sorry.
The singer's past has come up again during the case. He was convicted of felony assault in 2009 after attacking his then-girlfriend, Rihanna, just hours before the two were due to perform at the Grammys. The judge acknowledged those old convictions but noted that Brown has kept a clean record in recent years.
Brown has also been arrested in several US states over fights, though many of those cases were either never charged or were dropped later. In 2019, he was arrested in Paris and questioned about a rape allegation, but he was released without charge.
Outside the courthouse, a crowd of fans cheered for him, with some saying they had travelled from as far as Italy and the Netherlands to show support. Brown wore a black mask, dark glasses, a black cap and a black leather jacket as he left. He blew a kiss to one fan before getting into a car and driving away.
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