By Chalien Dantes

US singer Chris Brown made a short appearance at London’s Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday as legal preparations continue for a trial linked to an alleged nightclub attack. The 36-year-old spoke only to confirm his name during the brief hearing before Judge Tony Baumgartner.

Brown has already entered not guilty pleas to charges connected to an incident prosecutors say took place at the Tape private members’ club in Mayfair in February 2023. The case centres on claims that former friend Abraham Diaw was attacked with a bottle during a Dirty Martini club night. Brown also denies having an offensive weapon in a public place and a further allegation of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm.

Dressed in a white jacket, black shirt and grey trousers, the R&B star arrived at court with security and exchanged a handshake with his co-defendant, vocal coach Omololu Akinlolu, who has also denied an assault charge. Lawyers updated the judge on trial preparations during the eight-minute hearing, after which bail terms were left unchanged.

Brown, a two-time Grammy winner, was granted bail last year after paying a £5 million security fee. The arrangement allows him to continue touring, provided he surrenders his passport upon entering each country. A small group of supporters watched from the public gallery, and the singer waved as he left the courtroom.

Both defendants are set to return for another pretrial hearing in April, with the full trial scheduled to begin in October.