Chris Brown's dough may not save him from the Big House

Mar 6, 2009, 9:30 GMT

US R&B singer Chris Brown is seen during his arraignment at a Los Angeles court, California, USA, 05 March 2009, on two felony charges of assault stemming from what a police detective described as a brutal argument between the singer and his girlfriend, Rihanna. Brown, 19 was free on 50,000 US dollars (39,800 euro) bail. The complaint handed down in court identified Brown\'s alleged victim only as \'Robyn F.\' Rihanna\'s real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty. The assault happened early on 08 February 2009 after a pre-Grammy Awards party. EPA/BOB CHAMBERLIN

Chris Brown has been charged with assault and making criminal threats in relation to his alleged assault of Rihanna.

The 19-year-old singer appeared before a Los Angeles Superior Commissioner but did not enter a plea after the felonies were announced yesterday (05.03.09).

Chris - who wore a three-piece grey suit to the hearing - had his arraignment delayed until April 6 and was made the subject of a protective order.

The commissioner said: "Mr. Brown, you are not to annoy, harass, molest, threaten or use force or violence against anyone."

Chris signed a document saying he understood his lawyer Mark Geragos would appear on his behalf at the next hearing.

If convicted, the singer faces a maximum of four years eight months in prison.

Chris has been accused of beating Rihanna and choking her in his rented Lamborghini on February 8.

The 'Umbrella' singer - who is believed to have rekindled her romance with Chris - did not attend the hearing, but her lawyer Donald Etra was present.

Donald did not ask for a tougher order which would have seen Chris banned from contacting Rihanna.

Asked how the 21-year-old singer was coping as he left the court, Donald replied: "She's doing great. She is making sure her rights are being protected at every stage of the proceedings. She did not feel a stay-away order was necessary."

Further details of the alleged incident have also come to light after a Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) affidavit relating to the case was published.

The document reports Rihanna and Chris began arguing after she read a "three page text message" he received from another woman.

It claims Chris then tried to push Rihanna out of the car but could not as she was wearing a seatbelt.

Chris then "shoved her head against the passenger window" before punching her "in the left eye with his right hand".

The enraged pop star apparently said: "I am going to beat the s**t out of you when we get home! You wait and see!"

Rihanna then faked a call to her personal assistant, resulting in Chris saying: "You just did the stupidest thing ever! Now I really am going to kill you."

He allegedly continued punching Rihanna while driving his car, before pulling her close to him and biting her on her left ear.

Chris then stopped the car and Rihanna grabbed the key and sat on it. Chris began "punching her in the face and arms" and then "applied pressure" to her carotid arteries in her neck meaning she was unable to breathe and started drifting out of consciousness.

As the Barbados-born beauty tried to free herself, Chris bit her fingers and continued hitting her.