Chris Brown escapes jail sentence, but admits guilt

R&B singer Brown given five years probation and community service

R&B singer Chris Brown escaped a jail sentence yesterday, but changed his plea to guilty for the assault of his ex-girlfriend Rihanna.

The plea bargain made by Brown’s lawyer hours before the court hearing meant Rihanna did not have to take the stand and testify in court.

Despite dodging a spell behind bars, 20-year-old Brown will serve five years probation for felony assault and six months community labour in his home state of Virginia, by way of punishment.

The singer will also be supervised at regular three-month intervals and must not step within 50 yards of his ex-girlfriend for the next five years.

In addition, Brown has been forced to undertake a domestic violence counselling programme to address his anger issues.

His lawyer, Mark Geragos told the court that the R&B star’s guilty plea proved Brown wanted to take full responsibility for the assault – which court papers revealed ranged from beating and choking to biting Rihanna. Disturbing images of the Umbrella singer surfaced on the internet earlier this year, showing Rihanna’s battered and bruised face, following a fight with her ex-lover on the night of the Grammy Awards in February.

Brown’s lawyer, Geragos commented on the court ruling, saying: 'This is a kid who's never been in trouble before.

'He embraces this as a chance to get the message out that domestic violence will not be tolerated. He wants to get his life back on track.'

Brown will be formally sentenced on 5 August.

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