American R&B singer Chris Brown has been handed an eight-month suspended prison sentence over an altercation at a London nightclub in 2023.

Brown appeared at Southwark Crown Court alongside his vocal coach, Omololu Akinlolu. Both men had pleaded guilty to affray after more serious charges, including assault and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, were dropped by prosecutors.

Affray is an offence involving the use or threat of unlawful violence that would cause a person of reasonable firmness at the scene to fear for their safety.

The court reviewed surveillance footage of the incident at the VIP section of Tape nightclub in Mayfair, where Brown struck music producer Abe Diaw several times with a heavy glass tequila bottle, hitting him twice on the head.

Diaw was later assessed at a local hospital for head trauma, spinal tenderness and knee injuries.

Presiding Judge Tony Baumgartner described the deliberate use of a glass bottle as inherently dangerous, noting that although the confrontation lasted less than 20 seconds, the violence was intense.

The judge sentenced Brown to eight months in prison, suspended for 12 months, while Akinlolu received a four-month suspended sentence over the same period. Both men were also ordered to pay Sh260,602 (£1,500) towards prosecution costs.

In delivering the sentence, the judge stressed that Brown’s celebrity status did not entitle him to preferential treatment under the law.

However, the court considered several mitigating factors, including Brown’s compliance with bail conditions, his role as a father to his four children, his charitable contributions and the low likelihood of him reoffending.

Following the hearing, Brown left the court building accompanied by security, briefly interacting with supporters before departing in a private vehicle.

Under the terms of the suspended sentences, neither man will serve time in prison unless the relevant conditions are breached during the 12-month period.