Major Chris Brown update as another man charged in alleged bottle assault

A second man has been charged in the Chris Brown bottle assault case, after an alleged assault took place in a London nightclub in 2023. American R&B singer Chris Brown was charged with grievous bodily harm with intent after his arrest at a five-star Manchester hotel on Thursday (May 15). He was arrested just hours after landing at Manchester Airport and appeared in court yesterday (May 16) where he was denied bail and remanded in custody until his next trial date of June 13.

Now a second man, US national Omolulu Akinlolu, has been charged with GBH with intent and is scheduled to appear at Manchester Magistrates' Court today (May 17). A Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed: "The charge relates to an assault, which reportedly took place at a venue in Hanover Square in London, on Sunday, 19 February 2023.

"A man has already appeared in court in connection with the same matter. Chris Brown, 36 (05.05.89), also 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."

The alleged assault victim is Abe Diaw, a music producer who was reportedly friends with the singer for more than 10 years. Mr Diaw produces work under his Onegodmusic record label and reportedly works with several up-and-coming artists and has amassed more than 30,000 followers online.

Brown is alleged to have attacked Mr Diaw with a bottle, striking him "several times" before chasing him across the bar then punching and kicking him alongside another person".

Brown's case has been escalated to Southwark Crown Court as the matter is "too serious" to be dealt with by magistrates. His next hearing is scheduled to take place just two days before the UK leg of his European tour kicks off - and his Netherlands dates fall when he is expected to still be in custody.

Judge Hirst outlined the bail decision handed to the singer, telling him: "It has been suggested to me that you are a flight risk. I have substantial grounds to believe that if you grant bail you will breach that bail.

"You have repeatedly failed to attend interviews. Specific dates were identified on three separate occasions. You have the means to leave the country. You have no community ties to this country. You have previously breached court orders.

"The substantial security offered... that amount of money would have little impact on you. For those reasons, you are being remanded in custody."