Singer Chris Brown’s tour in question as UK judge orders him into custody on assault charge

LONDON (AP) — Grammy-winning singer Chris Brown ‘s upcoming tour was thrown into question Friday as a British judge ordered him held in custody while facing allegations that he beat a music producer with a bottle in a London nightclub in 2023.

Brown, 36, appeared in Manchester Magistrates’ Court docket to face one depend of inflicting grievous bodily hurt and was ordered held till his subsequent listening to June 13 in London — the identical day he’s because of take the stage in Frankfurt, Germany, on the third date of his world tour.

Decide Joanne Hirst rejected Brown’s bail request after prosecutor Hannah Nicholls stated that the crime was “extremely serious.”

Brown was on tour within the U.Okay. in February 2023 when he launched an unprovoked assault on producer Abe Diaw, putting him a number of occasions with a bottle on the Tape nightclub within the swanky Mayfair neighborhood in London, Nicholls stated. Brown then chased Diaw and punched and kicked him in an assault caught on surveillance digital camera in entrance of a membership full of individuals, she stated.

Protection lawyer Grace Forbes argued that the American performer wasn’t a flight threat and must be launched.

Brown was flanked by courtroom officers within the dock. His hair was bleached blonde and he wore sweatpants and a black T-shirt. He confirmed his title and beginning date, and stated that his deal with was the native Lowry Lodge, the place he was arrested early Thursday and brought into custody.

His case was transferred to Southwark Crown Court docket in London, the place he’s anticipated to enter a plea to the cost.

Brown’s consultant didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark from The Related Press.

Brown, usually known as by his nickname Breezy, burst onto the music scene as a teen in 2005 and has turn out to be a significant hitmaker through the years with notable songs corresponding to “Run It,” “Kiss Kiss” and “Without You.”

He gained his first Grammy for finest R&B album in 2011 for “F.A.M.E.” after which earned his second gold trophy in the identical class for “11:11 (Deluxe)” earlier this 12 months.

The singer is because of launch a world tour subsequent month with artists Jhene Aiko, Summer time Walker and Bryson Tiller, opening with a European leg on June 8 in Amsterdam earlier than beginning North America exhibits in July.

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Jonathan Landrum Jr. contributed to this report from Los Angeles.