Grammy-winning musician Chris Brown has avoided prison and received an eight-month suspended sentence in a London court after pleading guilty to affray following a confrontation at a London nightclub in 2023, the BBC News website reported on Monday.
The incident took place in a nightclub in Mayfair, an upscale area of the British capital. Brown faced sentencing in the Southwark Crown Court along with a co-defendant, his vocal coach Omololu Akinlolu, who also performs under the name of Hoody Baby.
Judge Tony Baumgartner told Brown and Akinlolu that their prison sentence was suspended for 12 months, which means they will be imprisoned if they commit another crime in the next year but otherwise stay free in the community.
“These sentences are the shortest custodial sentences which in my judgment are commensurate with the seriousness of your respective offenses … Each sentence is one of 12 months or less — by law I am required to suspend each custodial sentence unless you are an excluded offender or I am satisfied that exceptional circumstances relating to the offense or the offender justify an immediate custodial sentence,” Judge Baumgartner said during his sentencing.
Brown and Akinlolu initially were set to face a trial over assault and grievous bodily harm charges, but the charges were later dropped. Brown also faced a charge of having an offensive weapon — a tequila bottle, according to reports — though that was dropped, too.
He was told by the court judge the famous musician was not entitled to any special treatment, but Brown’s charitable activities and being a father of four were taken into consideration. Judge Baumgartner added Brown’s earlier convictions involving violence were “relevant,” but were now historic.
The Grammy-winning artist has spent time in prison before — in Los Angeles — for a probation violation. It came after he pleaded guilty to felony assault of his then-girlfriend, Rihanna.
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