A London judge has allowed US R&B singer Chris Brown to return to the United States while he awaits trial over an alleged 2023 incident at a Mayfair nightclub. Southwark Crown Court granted a change to Brown’s bail conditions on Tuesday, with Judge Tony Baumgartner presiding.

Prosecutor Heidi Stonecliffe KC said the bail terms remain stringent and numerous, including a £5 million security fee (€5.8 million) that remains in place as a financial guarantee of the defendant’s return to court. Brown has pleaded not guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm to Abraham Diaw at the Tape venue, a private members’ club in Hanover Square, Mayfair, on 19 February 2023. He also denies having an offensive weapon – a bottle – in a public place, and denies attempting to cause grievous bodily harm.

Co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu, 39, has also denied the same charge. Brown’s previous bail conditions allowed him to continue with his international tour and required him to live at an address known to the court; he was not allowed to visit the nightclub, contact Mr Diaw, or apply for international travel documents. The judge granted permission for both defendants to return to the United States, while reminding them that they must return to the United Kingdom when required and that failing to attend court could jeopardise the securities. There were more than a dozen people in the public gallery, and the defendants spoke only to confirm their identities and that they understood the new conditions. They are due to appear again at the same court on 28 January.