US singer Chris Brown is due to be sentenced for affray over an attack in a London nightclub in 2023 - you'll be able to watch the judge's remarks live above
Brown, 37, pleaded guilty to the charge in July - what is 'affray'?
The victim, music producer Abe Diaw, needed hospital treatment for head and knee injuries, with CCTV showing Brown hitting Diaw on the head with a glass bottle
In court, before sentencing, prosecutors describe the bottle as being "heavy" and "square shaped". The defence says this was an "ugly and unattractive incident", adding it "was very short-lived"
Brown's vocal coach, 40-year-old Omololu Akinlolu, a rapper from Florida, also pleaded guilty to affray - he's being sentenced today too
A group of Brown's fans are at court, with one telling our reporter: "I want to be here to support Chris. It is part of history"
Colin Paterson
Entertainment Correspondent, reporting from court
A 10-minute break has been called before the sentence will be handed down.
Chris Brown stood up in the dock to talk to his legal team through the glass, before sitting down again, clasping his hands, bowing his head and closing his eyes.
He is now chatting to his co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu, smiling for the first time since he entered court.
Some more now from Brown's defence lawyer who tells the court that he apologises to all those present at the club at the time of the attack.
"This is an ugly and unattractive incident," Sallie Bennett-Jenkins KC says.
"It is, however, an incident which was very short-lived, lasting something more than 17 seconds but no more than 20.
"It is something which undoubtedly would have caused distress to those who are present and for which Mr Brown... offers a profound apology to all those present."
As a reminder, the prosecution and defence are currently addressing the judge before he makes his sentencing remarks.
Colin Paterson
Entertainment Correspondent, reporting from court
The defence describes Chris Brown as a "dedicated and a loving father of four children,” someone who is "positive and present” - watching them "play sport" and doing the school run.
He is described as having lived "a good and law-abiding life" since his last conviction in 2013.
The events in Tape nightclub are described as a "short and deeply regretted incident".
It is argued that the attack left no fractures or broken skin and there was an absence of serious injuries.
Colin Paterson
Entertainment Correspondent, reporting from court
In court we have been shown three pieces of CCTV footage from inside Tape nightclub on the night of the attack. There is a total of two minutes 23 seconds of footage.
The attack lasted no more than 20 seconds but Chris Brown can be seen hitting the victim, Abe Diaw, four times with a tequila bottle, twice to the head.
Prosecutor, Heidi Stonecliffe KC, describes the weapon as a "heavy square shaped tequila bottle" and says Diaw was approached by Brown at around 03:00.
The footage shows that the nightclub is very small and very packed.
Chris Brown is watching from the dock. His face is motionless.
The CCTV footage will be released after the sentencing hearing.
As a reminder, you can watch the judge's sentencing remarks at the top of this page from 11:00 GMT.
Both defendants were pictured arriving at Southwark Crown Court this morning ahead of the hearing getting under way.
Fans and the press flanked the entrance to the court.
Image source, PA MediaOmololu Akinlolu was pictured as he walked towards the court
Image source, EPAChris Brown wore glasses, a cap and a mask
Affray is an offence under the Public Order Act and a person is deemed guilty in law if they use or threaten "unlawful violence towards another" with their behaviour leading someone to fear for their personal safety.
It can be committed in both public and private places and is punishable by up to three years in jail.
When deciding the sentences today, the judge will consider factors including the harm caused and the level of culpability.
As a reminder, both Brown and Akinlolu pleaded guilty to the offence in July - and prosecutors dropped more serious charges that the pair had denied.
Colin Paterson
Entertainment Correspondent, reporting from court
Image source, PA MediaFans stood alongside members of the press at the entrance to court this morning
I am at Southwark Crown Court for Chris Brown's sentencing.
A group of around 35 of his fans have been waiting for access to the public gallery - not all of them will get in.
Destiny Williams from Birmingham is first in line. She saw him in Toronto and Birmingham last year and went to LA for another show this year in SoFi Stadium.
She tells me: "I want to be here to support Chris. It is part of history. I am hoping he gets a fine or a suspended sentence."
Charlie Gearing has come down from Leeds with her mum Lizzie, who has not let a hip replacement stop her being here today.
"We are supporters of Chris Brown," says Lizzie. "He is an excellent performer."
Charlie, 50, met Brown at the Lowry Hotel before his Manchester show: "I want to watch him walk out a free man. If he signs my hand I will get it tattooed."
Zoe Jones has come down from Birmingham getting up at 04:00 GMT.
"I think I am his number one fan. I met him in Amsterdam. I think he deserves a chance. We are all human.”
Sonia McCalla, from Hertfordshire, got here at 08:15 to get her spot - she is currently sixth in the queue.
"I want to support Chris. I think he is an amazing artist. I am hoping for a suspended sentence and he doesn’t go to prison."
Image source, ReutersOne of the most successful stars in US R&B, Chris Brown has won two Grammy Awards - with his first nomination in 2007.
He has had a number of top 10 singles in the UK - including hits like Turn Up The Music, Freaky Friday, With You and Don't Wake Me Up.
He had been granted bail by the court - allowing him to leave the UK.
At earlier hearings, he was ordered to pay a £5m security fee as part of the bail conditions, which also allowed him to go on a world tour as long as he surrendered his passport on arrival in each country.
Over the summer, Brown has been on tour with Usher - with Ticketmaster listing some of the scheduled October dates as cancelled.
Image source, ReuChris Brown was pictured as he arrived at court this morning
Prosecutors for the case have called the attack "vicious and unprovoked".
Following Brown and Akinlolu's guilty pleas, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) released a statement outlining that Brown had approached Abe Diaw on the dance floor, hitting him over the head with a glass bottle twice, before Akinlolu then punched Diaw in the head.
"They continued their assault whilst the victim attempted to flee through the club," the CPS said.
"The victim was kicked while he was seated defenceless on the floor."
Chris Brown pleaded guilty to a charge of affray at Southwark Crown Court in July this year - he'd been due to face a trial on more serious charges, which he denied, and which were subsequently dropped.
These were assault, attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, and having an offensive weapon.
Brown's vocal coach, rapper Omololu Akinlolu, also pleaded guilty to affray, and had assault and attempted grievous bodily harm charges dropped.
The offence relates to an attack on music producer Abe Diaw at a club in Mayfair, London, on 19 February 2023.
Image source, Julia QuenzlerChris Brown (left) and co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu pictured in a court sketch at a hearing in July
Image source, ReutersChris Brown arrives at Southwark Crown Court for sentencing
R&B singer Chris Brown will be sentenced today at Southwark Crown Court after pleading guilty to a charge of affray over a London nightclub attack.
He'll be appearing alongside rapper Omololu Akinlolu, 40, who also admitted to the charge.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) described the attack on music producer Abraham 'Abe' Diaw as "vicious and unprovoked", with Diaw left needing hospital treatment for his injuries.
The incident happened at the Tape venue, a private members' club in Mayfair, in the early hours of 19 February 2023.
Brown, 37, is considered one of the biggest music stars in the world, with a string of hit songs including With You and Forever.
You'll be able to watch the judge's sentencing remarks liveat the top of this page from 11:00 GMT, and we'll bring you the latest updates.
