Chris Brown Arrested in England Over 2023 Nightclub Assault Allegation

Chris Brown was arrested on May 15, 2025, in Manchester, England, in connection with a reported nightclub assault that allegedly took place over two years ago. Authorities from London's Metropolitan Police traveled to Manchester and took the singer into custody at The Lowry Hotel shortly after 2:00 a.m.

(Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)

The arrest stems from an incident on February 19, 2023, at Tape nightclub in London’s Hanover Square. According to police statements and previous legal filings, Brown is accused of physically attacking music producer Abe Diaw during a late-night altercation. The charges include suspicion of grievous bodily harm. Abe Diaw filed a civil lawsuit in November 2023, claiming Brown struck him repeatedly with a Don Julio 1942 tequila bottle and continued to stomp on him while he was unconscious. The attack reportedly left Diaw hospitalized with serious head lacerations, torn ligaments, and long-term emotional trauma. He is seeking approximately $16 million (or £12 million) in damages.

Court documents also describe the incident as a prolonged and brutal beating. According to Diaw, the assault lasted approximately 30 seconds and occurred without provocation. The lawsuit additionally claims that Brown’s team attempted to downplay or dismiss the incident publicly. Brown’s arrest casts uncertainty over his Breezy Bowl XX tour, which was scheduled to begin in Amsterdam on June 8. The tour includes back-to-back shows in Manchester on June 15 and 16 and stretches across Europe before continuing in the U.S. starting July 30 in Miami. Promoters have not yet issued a formal statement regarding the tour’s status. Given the ongoing legal situation, it's unclear if any scheduled dates will be postponed or canceled.

The 36-year-old artist has faced legal troubles for over a decade. Most notably, he pleaded guilty to felony assault in 2009 after an altercation with singer Rihanna. He has since been involved in multiple other legal disputes, including incidents with artists Frank Ocean and Usher.

In October 2024, Brown was accused of sexual assault aboard Sean “Diddy” Combs’ yacht in a documentary titled Chris Brown: A History of Violence. He responded by filing a $500 million defamation lawsuit against Warner Bros. in January 2025, claiming false portrayal and reputational damage. As of now, Brown remains in police custody while the investigation continues. Under British law, suspects cannot be named publicly prior to formal charges to ensure a fair trial. However, news of Brown’s detainment has already sparked major reactions across social media and news outlets.