American R&B singer Chris Brown has been handed an eight-month suspended prison sentence by a London court over an attack on music producer Abe Diaw at a nightclub in February 2023.
Brown, 37, was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on Monday after pleading guilty to affray in July, according to BBC News.
His co-defendant and vocal coach, Omololu Akinlolu, 40, also received a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, for his role in the incident.
During sentencing, Judge Tony Baumgartner said Brown played a “leading role in this joint offending”, noting that the singer used a tequila bottle as a weapon.
The court heard that Brown approached Diaw in the VIP section of Tape nightclub in the early hours of February 19, 2023, and struck him twice on the head with the bottle before hitting his shoulder and attempting another blow.
Describing the incident, the judge said the repeated use of a glass bottle was dangerous and carried the potential to cause significantly more serious injuries.
Although the attack was not planned, Baumgartner said the violence was intense, despite lasting only a short time.
Diaw was hospitalised following the incident. His injuries included head trauma, musculoskeletal problems, tenderness around the cervical spine and abdomen, and reduced movement in his left knee.
The judge said Brown’s culpability was greater than Akinlolu’s because he initiated the physical violence.
He also considered Brown’s previous convictions involving violence in 2009 and 2013, although he described them as old.
Other factors considered during sentencing included Brown’s compliance with bail conditions, his status as a father of four, his stable employment and charitable activities.
However, the judge stressed that the singer’s fame, commercial success and professional standing did not entitle him to special treatment.
The court also heard that a pre-sentence report assessed Brown’s risk of reoffending as low.
On Akinlolu, the judge said his role was less serious because he neither possessed nor used a bottle. His involvement consisted of punches and a kick directed at Diaw while the producer was on the ground.
The judge noted that Akinlolu joined the violence after it had begun, rather than initiating the attack, although his participation remained significant.
Earlier, Brown’s defence lawyer, Sallie Bennett-Jenkins KC, described the incident as an “ugly and unattractive incident” and said it lasted between 17 and 20 seconds.
She said Brown offered a profound apology to those present and acknowledged the distress caused by the incident.
Brown had initially faced more serious charges, including assault, attempting to cause grievous bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon, all of which he denied. Those charges were dropped following his guilty plea to affray.
Akinlolu also pleaded guilty to affray, while the assault and attempted grievous bodily harm charges against him were dropped.
CCTV footage presented in court captured the attack, showing Brown striking Diaw four times with the tequila bottle, including twice on the head, BBC News reported.
Affray is an offence under the UK’s Public Order Act involving the use or threat of unlawful violence that causes another person to fear for their safety. It carries a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment, a fine or both.
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