R&B singer Chris Brown, 36, who is facing accusations of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, has been released on bail by a judge at Southwark Crown Court. The American musician can continue with his scheduled international tour this year, including performances in the UK in June and July, as part of his bail conditions, as announced by Judge Tony Baumgartner on Wednesday.
Brown is required to pay a £5 million security fee to the court. This fee acts as a financial guarantee to ensure that the defendant returns to court and may be forfeited if he breaches any bail conditions. The "Go Crazy" singer is accused of causing grievous bodily harm to Abraham Diaw in February 2023.
Brown was arrested after he flew into Manchester on a private jet last week and was staying at the five-star Lowry Hotel in the capital.
The 36-year-old appeared at Manchester Magistrates Court on Friday charged with one count of grievous bodily harm. The court heard how Brown allegedly struck Diaw "several times" with a bottle before chasing him across the bar then punching and kicking him alongside another person.
The Met said in a previous statement: "A 36-year-old man was arrested at a hotel in Manchester shortly after 02:00hrs on Thursday, 15 May on suspicion of grievous bodily harm.He has been taken into custody where he remains. The arrest relates to an incident at a venue in Hanover Square on 19 February 2023. The investigation is being led by detectives from the Central West Area Basic Command Unit.''
Brown is next due to appear at Southwark Crown Court for a plea hearing on June 20.
It is not the first time Brown has faced the full wrath of law enforcement, after previously getting into an argument with ex-girlfriend Rihanna that escalated into physical violence on the part of Brown.
Rihanna was left with visible facial injuries and was hospitalised; Brown was subsequently charged with felony assault and making criminal threats on March 5, 2009. He pleaded guilty to a felony on June 22 of that year and accepted a plea deal of community labour, five years of probation and domestic violence counselling.
