Chris Brown has been sentenced to 180 hours of community service after he admitted attacking ex-girlfriend Rihanna at the Grammy Awards.

Split: Rihanna was brought into court after her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown was sentenced for the attack which left her bruised

The 20-year-old R n'B singer will have to carry out his punishment in his home state of Virginia, his lawyer said.

Guilty plea: Chris Brown in the LA court yesterday, separately from Rihanna

He escaped jail but has five years' probation and must stay at least 50 yards away from Rihanna - 10 if they attend the same public event.

Rihanna suffered a black eye and bruises after the pair, who left Clive Davis's pre-Grammy party in Brown's silver Lamborghini last year, fought.

"A fair resolution": Rihanna in court with her lawyer minutes after Brown left

Reports said Brown had attacked her in the vehicle after pulling over in street in a Los Angeles neighbourhood.

Sources said he put his hands around Rihanna's neck and said: I'm going to kill you!'

Leaked police pictures showed her right eye blackened and badly swollen and she had scratches and bruising on her arms.

The pair have since split up and Rihanna, who arrived at the Los Angeles court house dressed in black and wearing a pair of dark shades, was prepared to testify against him during the trial.

She was spared the ordeal when he struck a plea bargain with prosecutors.

Brown sat with his head in his hands during the hearing. He now faces work such as cleaning up highways and cleaning graffiti off buildings.

He will also have go back to court every three months and must enrol in a domestic violence counselling programme.