Chris Brown pleads guilty to Rihanna assault (Roundup)

Los Angeles - Young soul crooner Chris Brown pleaded guilty Monday to one count of assault against former girlfriend Rihanna and will serve five years of probation and six months of community service. Brown, 20, entered the plea prior to the start of a preliminary hearing on numerous assault charges stemming from the February 8 incident. Wearing a smart grey suit and tie, he spoke in a low tone as he waived his rights and told the judge he understood the gravity of his plea. He was alleged to have struck Rihanna, 21, as they were driving to their hotel following a party the night before the annual Grammy music awards show. Shocking pictures that were leaked to the press showed cosmetics model Rihanna to be almost unrecognizable with her lips and areas around her eyes heavily bruised and swollen. With Rihanna world famous for pop hits such as Umbrella, the young couple had been one of the most talked about pairings in the celebrity world, and news of the altercation made front pages across the globe. Once famous for his clean-cut image and hits such as Kiss Kiss, Run It and No Air, Brown could have been sentenced to up to five years in prison had he been found guilty of felony assault charges likely to produce great bodily harm and making criminal threats. Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg praised Brown for reaching the plea deal: 'I think it's commendable you took responsibility for your conduct.' She said he would be allowed to serve his community service in his home state of Virgina. Schnegg imposed a stay-away order that prevents Brown and Rihanna from being within 50 metres of each other, except at industry events where the distance is lowered to 10 metres. After Brown left the courtroom, Rihanna entered to hear details of the judge's sentence and orders.