Deborah Akinyosoye
R&B singer Chris Brown has been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged over an alleged bottle attack at a London nightclub.
The American singer was arrested at Salford’s Lowry Hotel on Thursday and later charged over the alleged assault, which is said to have happened at the Tape club in London’s Mayfair in 2023.
Brown, 36, is alleged to have used a bottle to cause grievous bodily harm to music producer Abe Diaw.
The singer was in Manchester ahead of his planned tour of the UK in June and July, with dates at the city’s Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester and the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
During the hearing, Brown, who was wearing black tracksuit bottoms and a plain t-shirt, spoke to confirm his full name as Christopher Maurice Brown and date of birth.
Fans outside court
When asked to confirm his address he said The Lowry Hotel.
District Judge Joanne Hirst told Brown the case will be moved to Southwark Crown Court in London with the next hearing to be held on 13 June.
She said the nature of the offence of grievous bodily harm was too serious to to be dealt with by a magistrates’ court.
Brown was scheduled to perform in Amsterdam on 8 June, before heading to Germany then embarking on the UK dates.
Fans gathered outside Manchester Magistrates’ Court ahead of the hearing.
One fan, who lives in Manchester, told the BBC she had cancelled her plans so she could spend the day outside court.
Candy, 35, said she has followed the star since she was 14 and when she heard the news of his arrest she could not sleep.
“I’m just here to support him,” she said.
“I love his music, his voice. Even my children are fans now.”