CHRIS BROWN granted permission to return to U.S while awaiting trial on alleged attack at London nightclub

Wednesday, October 29, 2025 - R&B star Chris Brown has been granted permission to return to the United States while awaiting trial for an alleged bottle attack at a London nightclub in 2023.

Judge Tony Baumgartner approved a change to the singer’s bail conditions during a hearing at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday, October 28. Brown, dressed in a white shirt and tie, waved and made peace signs as he left the court and got into a waiting car.

Prosecutor Heidi Stonecliffe KC told the court that Brown’s bail terms remain “very stringent” and “numerous.” The £5 million security fee previously imposed also remains in place as a financial guarantee to ensure Brown’s return to the UK when required.

The 35-year-old singer has pleaded not guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm against music producer Abraham Diaw at the Tape nightclub in London’s Mayfair on February 19, 2023. He has also denied possessing an offensive weapon, a bottle,  and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm.

Brown’s co-defendant, Omololu Akinlolu, a 39-year-old U.S. national, has also pleaded not guilty to assault.

Prosecutors allege that Diaw was standing at the bar when he was struck several times with a bottle and then pursued to another part of the venue, where he was punched and kicked. Brown was later arrested at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester on May 15, 2025, and released on bail after paying the £5 million bond.

His bail conditions previously allowed him to continue his international tour but required him to live at a court-approved address, avoid the nightclub, and have no contact with the alleged victim.

Granting both defendants permission to travel back to the U.S., Judge Baumgartner warned: “You will have to come back to the United Kingdom when you are required to do so.”

He reminded them that failure to appear in court could result in the forfeiture of their bail securities. The pair are due to appear again at Southwark Crown Court on January 28.

During a concert in Manchester earlier this year, Brown publicly thanked the staff of HMP Forest Bank, where he was briefly held, saying: “Thank you to the jail — y’all was really nice.”

The trial will determine whether the R&B artist, who continues his Breezy Bowl XX tour, will face further legal consequences over the alleged assault incident.