Online Reporter
MANCHESTER. − R&B superstar Chris Brown will be freed from prison and can complete his world tour after putting £5million to secure bail in his alleged Mayfair bottle attack trial.
The 36-year-old US star was arrested by the Metropolitan Police last Thursday after flying into the UK ahead of a series of arena dates on his Breezy Bowl XX world tour.
At Manchester magistrates court on Friday, Brown was refused bail and remanded in custody while facing a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
But yesterday, Judge Tony Baumgartner agreed that the singer could have bail as long as he complies with a series of conditions.
A £5million security has been put up as part of the bail package, he must live at an address in the UK while awaiting trial, and he has also been ordered to surrender his passport to police.
However a plan has also been put in place for Brown to travel to Europe, the US, and Canada to complete his Breezy Bowl XX world tour, by using his passport to travel and then leaving it with his lawyers while he completes the gigs.
Brown was not in court for yesterday’s hearing, when he was represented by Sallie Bennett-Jenkins KC.
The singer is accused of an attack on music producer Abraham Diaw at the Tape nightclub in Hanover Square, Mayfair, on February 19, 2023, when he and his entourage were at the venue for a Dirty Martini club night at the time.
It is said Mr Diaw was struck several times with a bottle before being pursued across the club and punched and kicked several times.
Omolulu Akinlolu, 38, a US national, was charged alongside Brown with grievous bodily harm with intent at the weekend, and has been remanded in custody.
Brown was arrested at just after 2am last Thursday at the five-star Lowry Hotel in Manchester.
Announcing the criminal charge, Adele Kelly, the Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London North, said: “We have authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Chris Brown with one count of grievous bodily harm, contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
“The alleged incident occurred in London on 19 February 2023.”
She added: “The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.
“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
Brown was on a worldwide tour and playing in the UK at the time of the alleged attack.
The R&B singer was arrested when he flew into Manchester Airport on a private jet ahead of the UK leg of his Breezy Bowl XX world tour, which has scheduled dates around the country including two nights – June 21 and 22 – at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The judge agreed to bail conditions that Brown lives at an address in the UK, does not contact Mr Diaw or Akinlolu or go to Tape nightclub, and does not apply for international travel documents. − Standard
Mathew Masinge