US SINGER CHRIS BROWN AVOIDS JAIL OVER UK NIGHTCLUB BRAWL

American R&B star Chris Brown has avoided immediate imprisonment after a UK court sentenced him over a brawl at a London nightclub in 2023.

The 37-year-old singer received an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for one year, at Southwark Crown Court on Monday. This means he will remain out of jail, but committing another offence during that period could lead to the sentence being activated.

Brown had pleaded guilty in July to affray, a public order offence involving unlawful violence that can cause others to fear for their safety.

The case concerned an incident at Tape, a private members’ club in central London, on February 19, 2023, while Brown was touring the UK.

Prosecutors accused Brown and co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu of an unprovoked attack. They alleged that Brown struck the victim’s head twice with a glass bottle and that the victim was subsequently chased, punched and kicked.

Delivering the sentence, Judge Tony Baumgartner said violence in a crowded nightclub was serious because it put both the person targeted and other people nearby at risk.

Brown’s guilty plea meant the case did not proceed to trial on other charges, including attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon. He had previously denied those charges.

The singer, known for hits including “Kiss, Kiss,” has sold tens of millions of records worldwide. His career has also been marked by legal troubles, including his 2009 felony conviction for assaulting Rihanna.