Manchester, UK — American R&B star Chris Brown, 36, was remanded in custody on Friday, May 16, 2025, following a court appearance in Manchester, England, where he faces charges of grievous bodily harm stemming from an alleged 2023 assault at a London nightclub. The ruling throws a wrench into the Grammy winner’s upcoming world tour, with his next court date set for June 13—the same day he is scheduled to perform in Frankfurt, Germany.
The charges relate to an incident on February 19, 2023, at the Tape nightclub in London’s upscale Mayfair district. Music producer Amadou “Abe” Diaw alleges that Brown attacked him without provocation, striking him multiple times with a bottle of Don Julio 1942 tequila, punching, and kicking him while he was down. Diaw, who was hospitalized with lacerations and torn ligaments, has filed a $16 million civil lawsuit against Brown, claiming the attack caused “severe and lasting injuries” and emotional trauma. Surveillance footage from the nightclub, now in the hands of London’s Metropolitan Police, reportedly captured the altercation.
Brown was arrested in the early hours of Thursday, May 15, at The Lowry Hotel in Salford, Manchester, shortly after arriving in the UK via private jet. The arrest followed a tip from British tabloid The Sun, which alerted authorities to Brown’s presence. In court, prosecutor Hannah Nicholls described the assault as “extremely serious,” leading Judge Joanne Hirst to deny Brown’s bail request. “The severity of the allegations leaves me no choice but to ensure the defendant remains in custody,” Hirst stated.
The case has raised questions about the future of Brown’s global tour, which is set to kick off next month with shows across Europe, followed by North American dates in July. Industry insiders speculate that promoters may face financial losses if Brown is unable to perform, while fans have taken to social media to express both support and disappointment. “Breezy doesn’t deserve this—he’s been targeted for years,” one fan posted on X, while another wrote, “He needs to take accountability; this isn’t his first rodeo.”
Brown’s legal troubles are not new. In 2009, he pleaded guilty to assaulting his then-girlfriend Rihanna, an incident that continues to shadow his career. The current allegations, combined with Diaw’s lawsuit, add to a pattern of legal challenges that have marred the singer’s reputation despite his chart-topping hits like “Run It” and “Under the Influence.”
Adele Kelly, deputy chief crown prosecutor for CPS London North, emphasized the importance of a fair trial, stating, “Criminal proceedings are active, and the defendant has the right to due process.” Brown’s representatives have yet to comment publicly on the charges or the custody order.
As Brown awaits his next hearing, the case underscores the intersection of celebrity, accountability, and the legal system. Diaw’s civil lawsuit is set for a jury trial in June 2026, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 30, 2025. For now, the singer remains in custody, leaving fans and promoters in limbo as his tour hangs in the balance.