Chris Brown remanded into custody after alleged bottle attack: updates

Chris Brown appeared at the Manchester Magistrates' Court in Manchester, London, on May 16, 2025, following his arrest the day before for alleged assault. The Under the Influence hitmaker is accused of assaulting producer Abe Diaw at a nightclub in Hanover Square in London in February 2023.

According to prosecutor Hannah Nicholls, Brown struck Abe Diaw multiple times with a bottle and proceeded to chase the victim through the nightclub before punching and kicking him. The prosecutor claimed that a CCTV camera recorded the incident.

According to the Manchester Evening News, which gave live updates on the court proceedings, Chris Brown, dressed in a monochrome black ensemble consisting of a shirt and track pants, appeared in court at 12:47 pm local time.

The news outlet further reported that the singer’s court venue was moved to a larger one to accommodate the crowd that wanted to observe proceedings.

Magistrate denies Chris Brown’s bail application and moves case to the Crown Court

District Judge Joanne Hirst denied Brown’s application for bail upon presentation of evidence that the latter was a flight risk. The judge told the defendant that the charge of grievous bodily harm was too serious to be tried at the Magistrate level and would be moved to the Southwark Crown Court in London.

Brown will be held in custody till June 13, 2025, when he will be heard at the Crown Court. The Metropolitan Police, who moved from London to effect the arrest in Manchester, released a statement sharing details about the assault charge:

“A 36-year-old man was arrested at a hotel in Manchester shortly after 02:00hrs on Thursday, 15 May, on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. He has been taken into custody, where he remains."

The statement continued:

"The arrest relates to an incident at a venue in Hanover Square on [Feb. 19, 2023]. Detectives are leading the investigation from the Central West Area Basic Command Unit."

The Metropolitan Police later identified Chris Brown as the suspect in custody:

"Chris Brown, 36 (05.05.89), who is a US National, was charged on Thursday, 15 May, with grievous bodily harm with intent.

He appeared in custody at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 16 May. He was remanded in custody to appear at Southwark Crown Court on Friday, 13 June.

The charge relates to an assault, which reportedly took place at a venue in Hanover Square in London on Sunday, 19 February 2023."

According to the Metropolitan Evening News, Chris Brown was arrested at the Lowry Hotel in Salford. The R&B singer had arrived in London to prepare for his upcoming tour.

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