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 to face one count of causing grievous bodily harm and was ordered held until his next hearing June 13 in London – the same day he’s due to take the stage in Frankfurt, Germany, on the third date of his world tour.
Judge Joanne Hirst rejected Brown’s bail request after prosecutor Hannah Nicholls said that the crime was “extremely serious.”
Brown was on tour in the UK in February 2023 when he is alleged to have attacked producer Abe Diaw with a bottle at the Tape nightclub, in London’s Mayfair neighborhood.
Defense attorney Grace Forbes argued that the American performer wasn’t a flight risk and should be released.
Brown was flanked by court officers in the dock. His hair was bleached blonde and he wore sweatpants and a black T-shirt. He confirmed his name and birth date, and said that his address was the local Lowry Hotel, where he was arrested early Thursday and taken into custody.
His case was transferred to Southwark Crown Court in London, where he is expected to enter a plea to the charge.
Brown’s representative didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.
