Chris Brown agrees bargain

Jun 23, 2009, 9:11 GMT

Chris Brown is to be sentenced to five years probation and 180 days of community labour after reaching a plea bargain.

The 20-year-old singer - who pleaded guilty to felony assault yesterday (22.06.09) in relation to his altercation with Rihanna on February 8 - reached the deal shortly before he was due in court in Los Angeles.

The bargain meant Rihanna, who had been subpoenaed to appear in court, did not have to give evidence against her on/off boyfriend.

Chris' attorney Mark Geragos said: "He's very thankful to all the people who've been very supportive. This is a kid who's never been in trouble before, who wants to move past this and make sure that the message gets out that these kinds of things, of domestic violence, are not acceptable. And that he has accepted responsibility and continues to do so and embraces this as an opportunity for him to get his life back on track and his career back on track."

Chris is moving to Virginia and will serve his community service. He will also take a year of domestic violence classes and pay fines.

Chris - who was accused of punching, biting and choking Rihanna until she was unconscious in his silver Lamborghini - was issued a protective order, meaning he can't harm or harass Rihanna.

He was also given a stay-away order which states he must keep at least 50 yards away from the 'Umbrella' singer, unless the pair are both at an industry event when he must only keep 10 yards clear from her.

The stay-away order was made despite Rihanna's lawyer stating it was not needed. Chris has also been banned from contacting Rihanna by phone, email or text, and she is also not allowed to get in touch with him.

Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg said: "Mr. Brown, I think it's commendable that you took responsibility for your conduct.

"I want Mr. Brown to be treated the same as any other defendant who would come into this court. That means something like Caltrans [trash pick-up] or graffiti removal."

If the R'n'B singer breaks the terms of his probation he faces four years in jail.

He is expected to be formally sentenced on August 5, when a second charge of making criminal threats will be dropped.

After Judge Schnegg spoke to Chris, Rihanna and her lawyer Donald Etra were brought into court to have the terms of the deal explained to her.

The judge said the court may alter the terms of the stay-away order once Chris has been formally sentenced.

According to a search warrant, Rihanna was attacked after an argument broke out between her and Chris.

It is claimed Chris said to her: "I'm going to beat the s**t out of you when we get home. You wait and see! You just did the stupidest thing ever. Now I'm really going to kill you."