Footage shows Chris Brown launch tequila bottle attack on man in nightclub

R&B singer Chris Brown can be seen in dramatic new CCTV footage being “physically pulled away” from a man after striking him twice in the head with a “heavy” tequila bottle at a London club.

Video shows Brown swinging the glass bottle at his victim in a “plainly dangerous” attack at around 3am on the dancefloor at the Tape private members’ club in Mayfair in February 2023.

The victim is then pursued by the American musician and his vocal coach before Brown, who is wearing a tracksuit, is seen saying something to the victim, who is on the ground.

Brown was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on Monday to eight months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, after pleading guilty to affray earlier this year.

His vocal coach, Omololu Akinlolu, 40, who joined the attack, was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.

Both men were ordered to pay £1,500 costs.

The pair stood up and faced one another and clasped hands in front of a packed public gallery after the judge concluded his sentencing remarks before walking out of the glass dock.

There were loud cheers outside Southwark Crown Court as Brown left the building, as he appeared to stop to sign an autograph and blow a kiss to a fan.

Judge Tony Baumgartner warned the defendant that his “fame, commercial success and professional standing do not entitle you to special treatment” in court.

In sentencing, the judge said: “The repeated use of a glass bottle in that way, especially aimed at the head, was plainly dangerous, it carried the risk of delivering a more serious injury than was ultimately sustained.”

CCTV footage was shown in which Brown struck Abraham Diaw four times with the bottle, connecting twice with his head and then hitting his shoulder.

Heidi Stonecliffe KC, prosecuting, told the court Brown used a “heavy square-shaped tequila bottle” to “hit Mr Diaw twice over the left-hand side of his head”.

He then rained down “further blows” as Mr Diaw turned away, the court heard.

Ms Stonecliffe said that Akinlolu then grabbed Mr Diaw in a “bear hug”.

She said: “Mr Diaw falls to the ground and Mr Brown is also seen throwing punches.”

In another clip, Brown, from California in the United States, was seen being “pulled away” from the victim.

The incident lasted around 20 seconds and started at around 3am, the court heard.

Judge Baumgartner said that while the violence only lasted a “short period”, it was “nevertheless serious violence by two people in a crowded nightclub”.

He said: “Violence of this kind in a crowded nightclub is serious. It creates an obvious risk not only to the person at whom it’s directed but also to others nearby.”

He added that Brown’s conduct was “particularly dangerous” and that he had to be “physically pulled away” from the attack.

Mr Diaw was taken to St Mary’s Hospital in London and Ms Stonecliffe KC said he was discharged with “pain relief and a diagnosis of head injury and superficial injury of the knee”.

An MRI scan taken in early March showed a “high-grade injury to a ligament on the inner side of the left knee”, the court heard.

Defending Brown, Sallie Bennett-Jenkins KC said there was a “relatively low level of force” and disputed how significant the injuries were.

Mr Diaw was “not supportive of the prosecution” and in fact “withdrew” his support some time after the incident, the court heard.

Ms Bennett-Jenkins added that Brown “offers a profound apology” to all those present at the private members’ club in central London.

She said: “This is an ugly and unattractive incident.

“It is, however, an incident which was very short-lived, lasting something more than 17 seconds but no more than 20.”

They also said that Brown had felt that Mr Diaw presented “some sort of threat” and disputed the nature and extent of his relationship to the victim.

Akinlolu’s barrister, Laurie-Anne Power KC, described Brown as being like a “brother” to her client.

She added: “He genuinely believed him to be under attack and became involved, and thereafter accepts his initial involvement very quickly evolved into the events he has pleaded guilty to.”

Judge Baumgartner said their mitigating circumstances could “not justify the violence that followed”.

He said: “The offending took place in a crowded and confined environment which created a further risk of alarm and injury to others.”

At earlier hearings, Brown was ordered to pay a £5 million security fee as part of his bail conditions, which also allowed him to go on a world tour as long as he surrendered his passport on arrival in each country.

Brown pleaded guilty in 2009 to beating his former girlfriend, pop star Rihanna.

He admitted at Los Angeles Superior Court one count of felony assault relating to an incident that occurred hours before the pair were due to perform at the Grammy Awards.

Detective Chief Superintendent Christina Jessah, of the Metropolitan Police, said: “This was an inexcusable attack that put a man in hospital.

“It has taken several years to secure this result for the victim and the wider public and I am grateful to the detectives who worked on this lengthy investigation.

“Despite the passage of time and the fact the suspects were no longer in the UK, we were determined that those responsible should face justice.

“Violence will not be accepted on the streets of London. Regardless of an individual’s profile or status, we will pursue those responsible and work tirelessly to bring them before the courts.”

Claire Campbell, senior crown prosecutor, CPS London South said: “This was a vicious and unprovoked attack by Brown and Akinlolu in a crowded nightclub where Brown used a glass bottle as a weapon to strike the victim’s head twice.

“This kind of violence is entirely unacceptable, and the Crown Prosecution Service will work tirelessly – with the police and partners across the criminal justice system – to pursue cases like this, and prove that no one is above the law.”