CHRIS BROWN PLEADS GUILTY TO AFFRAY AFTER MAYFAIR NIGHTCLUB INCIDENT

Chris Brown pleaded guilty to affray at Southwark Crown Court on Friday, July 24 2026, following a confrontation at the Tape nightclub in Hanover Square, Mayfair, on February 19 2023. The R&B singer had previously pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against Abraham Diaw. A charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against Diaw was dropped, along with two charges of possessing an offensive weapon—a bottle—in a public place and a charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm. Brown will be sentenced on October 26 for the affray charge.

Brown was released on bail following the hearing. As part of his existing bail conditions, he had been ordered to pay a £5 million security fee and was permitted to undertake a world tour provided he surrendered his passport on arrival in each country. The singer arrived at court wearing a tan suit, gold-rimmed sunglasses and a St Louis Cardinals baseball hat, flanked by security guards.

The incident occurred in February 2023 at the private members' club. Brown had been due to face a jury trial on October 26 after his initial not guilty plea in June 2025. The change of plea to guilty on the lesser charge of affray means the trial will not proceed as scheduled. Sentencing is now set for the same date originally allocated for trial.