Chris Brown Arrested in Manchester After Alleged 2023 Tequila Bottle Assault at London Nightclub

Chris Brown in Police Custody After Manchester Arrest

The pop star Chris Brown found himself behind bars in Manchester on May 15, 2025, as British police moved in on a high-profile assault case that has kept both the music and legal worlds buzzing. Brown, 36, was picked up at The Lowry Hotel, a swanky spot where he was staying just before heading out for shows on his UK tour. It all goes back to a late-night incident in 2023 inside one of London's glitziest clubs—a run-in that's come back to haunt the singer more than a year later.

The Met Police made their announcement brief: a well-known man in his mid-30s was arrested over suspected grievous bodily harm. No names mentioned, but everyone knew who they were talking about. Brown, one of R&B's brightest—and most controversial—stars, remained in police custody as word of his arrest quickly shot through social media and the entertainment press.

Allegations Rooted in a Chaotic Club Night

It all traces back to February 2023. The location: TAPE, a chic nightclub in London’s Hanover Square, often packed with celebrities, DJs, and the city’s VIP crowd. Early one morning, music producer Amadou 'Abe' Diaw says he was hit over the head with a bottle of Don Julio 1942 Tequila—a luxury choice, but in this story, it’s the weapon. Diaw claims Brown blindsided him, leaving him injured and traumatized. He didn't keep quiet. Months later, Diaw took his case to Los Angeles courts, not only going after Brown, but dragging in music giants Live Nation, Sony, RCA Records, and another artist he says played a part.

The civil lawsuit filed by Diaw in October 2023 reads like an indictment of the music industry’s worst underbelly: assault, battery, and a calculated pattern of intimidating behavior. Diaw is pushing for damages, but the case is more than just a battle for compensation—it's become a talking point about accountability and culture among A-listers and their entourages.

For Brown, this isn’t new territory. The singer has danced with the law before, and past charges continue to shadow his reputation. But what makes this different is the international scope. British police and American courts are now locked onto the same incident, while major music companies try to defend their own positions in the drama.

As of now, Brown’s legal team has stayed tight-lipped. No public statements, no written comments—a silence that hasn’t stopped the story from spreading. Brown appears in Manchester Magistrates' Court on May 16, ready to hear the charges laid out in full. Concert-goers and fans are left wondering what this latest brush with the law will do to his tour and career. But with the spotlight glaring, the eyes of both the music business and the public are watching for what happens next with Chris Brown and these explosive club assault allegations.