American R&B star Chris Brown has been arrested in the UK over an alleged assault at a nightclub in London. He was detained around 2 am on Thursday, May 15, by Metropolitan Police at The Lowry Hotel in Salford.
Brown had just arrived at Manchester Airport on a private jet when Met Police detectives tracked him down. The detectives, upon discovering that he was in Manchester, travelled to the city where they arrested him at his hotel. He was taken into custody immediately and is being held in a local police station for questioning.
According to the London Metropolitan Police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Chris Brown was due to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Friday, May 16, 2025. The outcome of his appearance in court is that he’ll be required to remain in custody until his next court appearance on June 13. The Judge, Judge Joanne Hirst, ruled to deny bail, citing that he has missed multiple police interviews and there are concerns that he won’t comply with conditions if given.
The 36-year-old American singer’s arrest relates to an incident from 2023, on suspicion of allegedly inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent. And the investigation is being led by detectives from the Central West Area Basic Command Unit.
Why Was Chris Brown Arrested in the UK?
The police department has confirmed that Chris Brown’s arrest relates to an incident at an upscale nightclub in Hanover Square, Central London in 2023.
Allegedly, Brown brutally assaulted Music producer Abe Diaw around 3 am at the trendy TAPE nightclub in London. The complainant claimed that the American singer attacked him without provocation, by smashing him over the head with a large bottle of Don Julio 1942 Tequila, inflicting severe and lasting injuries.
The music producer told The Sun, “He hit me over the head two or three times. My knee collapsed as well.”
Mr Diaw said that Brown then punched him several times, and as he lay unconscious on the floor, the singer continued to kick him while he was defenseless for about 30 seconds. Mr Diaw ended up in the hospital with lacerations on his head and torn ligaments in his leg. By the time he was discharged, he needed crutches to walk.
Mr Diaw has filed a $16 million (£12 million) civil lawsuit against Brown for injuries and losses suffered as a result of the alleged attack.
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When Did the Alleged 2023 Assault Involving Chris Brown Occur?
The alleged assault happened on 19 February 2023 at Tape, an exclusive nightclub in London’s posh Mayfair neighbourhood. At the time, Chris Brown was in the UK for his 2023 “Under the Influence” Tour.
His arrival in the UK on Thursday was in preparation for the kick-off of his global tour “Breezy Bowl XX Tour.” The tour is in celebration of his 20-year career. The two-time Grammy winner is set to tour the UK starting June next month, and then in July. With dates at the Co-Op Live stadium in Manchester and the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
The Go Crazy singer also hoped to perform a huge show at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London before heading to Birmingham, Glasgow, and Dublin. But with all that’s going on, his arrest and remaining in custody until June 13 mean he’ll miss the start of his tour, which throws the tour into chaos.
What Are the Charges Against Chris Brown in This UK Case?
Chris Brown has officially been charged in the UK for allegedly assaulting a music producer back in 2023. According to U.K. prosecutors, he stands to face one count of causing grievous bodily harm.
Adele Kelly, the deputy chief crown prosecutor for CPS London North said, “We have authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Chris Brown with one count of grievous bodily harm, contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.”
“Criminal proceedings against this defendant are active,” and “he has the right to a fair trial,” Kelly added.
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Has Chris Brown Faced Legal Trouble Before?
Unfortunately, Yes. This is not the first time Chris Brown has been arrested. He’s had multiple run-ins with the law in the past relating to violence. As a matter of fact, his recent arrest in the UK comes just months after he had taken legal action following the release of a documentary that was based on his alleged history of violence.
In January, Chris Brown sued Warner Bros. Discovery and several others for the production of the film “Chris Brown: A History of Violence.” It’s a documentary film detailing Brown’s alleged pattern of abuse. He is seeking $500 million in damages, alleging libel and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
In 2009, Brown had punched, choked, and bit his then-girlfriend Rihanna on the night of the Grammy Awards. There were leaked photos showing Rihanna bloodied and bruised after the attack. He’d pleaded guilty to the charges against him and was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to complete community labor. He was also ordered to stay away from Rihanna else face imprisonment.
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Also in 2017, Karrueche Tran, Brown’s ex-girlfriend at the time, was granted a restraining order. The restraining order mandated that he stay away from her after she alleged that he was abusive toward her.
Then in 2018, an anonymous complainant represented by Gloria Allred, a women’s rights lawyer, sued Brown. She claimed he had trapped her in his home and forced her to perform sex acts for his friends.
In 2019, the R&B star was accused of raping a woman in Paris. He was however, released without facing any charges. And in July 2024, a lawsuit was filed against him, alleging that he and members of his crew severely assaulted four men after a concert in Texas.
With his recent arrest in the UK, fans and critics are watching as this unfolds for the Grammy winner. Would this be the end of the road for Chris Brown’s music career?