Chris Brown has received an eight-month suspended jail term for hitting music producer Abe Diaw with a tequila bottle at a London nightclub in 2023.
Judge Tony Baumgartner handed the American singer the sentence at Southwark Crown Court on Monday. Brown’s vocal coach, Omololu Akinlolu, also received a four-month suspended sentence for his role in the attack.
Both men pleaded guilty to affray over the February 19 incident at Tape nightclub. Brown will not go to prison immediately. However, he could serve his sentence if he commits another offence during the 12-month suspension period.
Why Chris Brown avoided immediate jail
Baumgartner considered Brown’s compliance with bail conditions over an extended period when deciding his sentence.
However, the judge stressed that the singer’s fame and success would not earn him special treatment. He also called Brown’s use of a glass bottle “plainly dangerous”.
The judge described Akinlolu as an “active participant” in the attack. He said the vocal coach initially wanted to “defend” Brown because he thought someone was attacking the singer.
Baumgartner also outlined the injuries Diaw suffered. The producer went to hospital shortly after the attack. Doctors found a head injury, musculoskeletal problems, tenderness around his cervical spine and abdomen, and reduced movement in his left knee.
Brown and Akinlolu pleaded guilty to affray in July. Prosecutors later dropped charges of attempted grievous bodily harm, assault, causing actual bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon after the pair denied them.
Chris Brown’s lawyer expresses regret
Sallie Bennett-Jenkins KC, Brown’s lawyer, called the incident “short and deeply regretted”. She also said the singer had offered a “profound apology”.
“It is, however, an incident which was very short-lived, lasting something more than 17 seconds but no more than 20. It is something which undoubtedly would have caused distress to those who are present and for which Mr Brown offers a profound apology to all those present,” KC said.
Footage showed Brown striking Diaw four times with a tequila bottle, including twice on the head. The attack lasted less than 20 seconds.
Authorities arrested Brown in May over the incident.
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