Chris Brown appeared in a London courtroom on Friday and pleaded not guilty to a grievous bodily harm charge tied to an alleged nightclub incident from 2023.
According to the Associated Press, Brown—currently on his Breezy Bowl XX stadium tour—did not enter pleas on additional charges but is scheduled to return to court next month. Co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu, better known as HoodyBaby, also pleaded not guilty to the same charge of grievous bodily harm with intent.
In May, London’s Metropolitan Police confirmed Brown was formally charged following an investigation into an alleged assault that took place at a Hanover Square venue in February 2023. Earlier that same month, Brown was arrested at a Manchester hotel in connection to the case.
The charges stem from a lawsuit in which a man accused the singer of striking him repeatedly with a Don Julio 1942 tequila bottle at Tape London nightclub on February 19, 2023.
Complex has reached out to Brown’s reps for comment. Updates may follow.
In a recent Instagram post, Chris Brown opened up about the ways he tries to stay grounded despite his fame, sharing that he often sneaks out alone while on tour to “feel human and normal.” According to the singer, those solo moments help him stay connected to reality.
This personal reflection comes as Brown faces ongoing legal challenges, including the grievous bodily harm case in London. The latest courtroom development follows his legal response earlier this year to the A History of Violence documentary.
In January, Brown’s attorney, Levi McCathern, accused the filmmakers of spreading “false and defamatory information” about the singer, claiming they ignored evidence that disproved their narrative. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Warner Bros. Discovery’s ID network defended the doc, saying the company stands by the production.
