U.S. singer Chris Brown made a brief appearance at London’s Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday for a case-management hearing as he prepares for a trial later this year on charges of assaulting a music producer with a bottle in a nightclub. The hearing focused on procedural matters ahead of the jury trial scheduled for October, underscoring ongoing legal proceedings in one of the year’s higher-profile celebrity cases.
Brown, 36, did not address the substance of the allegations at the hearing beyond confirming his identity. Prosecutors allege that a February 2023 incident at a London nightclub involved Brown attempting to cause grievous bodily harm and causing actual bodily harm, both charges he has denied. He was joined in court by his co-defendant, Omololu Akinlolu, 39, who has likewise pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The hearing, lasting only minutes, dealt primarily with administrative aspects of the case. The judge reaffirmed bail conditions for both defendants, who were released after earlier hearings. Brown was first released on bail after lodging a £5 million security bond, a condition that permitted him to continue his “Breezy Bowl XX” tour before it concluded in October. Supporters of Brown were present in the public gallery during the proceedings, signalling continued public interest in the high-profile matter as the legal process advances.
Prosecutors maintain the charges stem from what they describe as an “unprovoked attack,” and the case has drawn sustained media attention given Brown’s international profile and previous legal issues related to the incident. The hearing also set a timetable for the next procedural session in April, as the court continues to manage pre-trial preparations and evidence disclosure ahead of the October trial.
