Chris Brown fans queue to get into the public gallerypublished at 10:40 GMT
10:40 GMT
Colin Paterson
Entertainment Correspondent, reporting from court
Image source, PA MediaImage caption,
Fans 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.”