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Chris Brown sentencing for Rihanna attack
Ben Bailey5 Aug 2009
US singer Chris Brown will be sentenced today for beating his former girlfriend pop star
Rihanna.
Brown has admitted one count of felony assault relating to an incident that occurred hours before the pair were due to perform at the Grammy Awards.
But he is expected to avoid a jail sentence. Under the terms of a plea bargain agreed with prosecutors, the judge is recommended to hand down a sentence of five years probation and six months community service.
Today's sentence hearing will take place from 2.30pm local time (10.30pm BST) at Los Angeles Superior Court.
Brown, 20, was arrested on February 8, hours after a party in Los Angeles.
According to an affidavit filed by an LA police detective, the altercation took place in a car when Rihanna checked Brown's mobile phone and found a text message from another woman.
Detective De Shon Andrews wrote that Brown attempted to push Rihanna out of the vehicle before punching her repeatedly. He also bit her ear, the affidavit states.
He then allegedly threatened to kill her when she pretended to phone her assistant to get police help.
According to the detective, the alleged assault left Rihanna with a mouthful of blood. Brown is also alleged to have tried to choke her.
Following the incident, pictures apparently showing the female singer's beaten and swollen face were leaked on to the internet.
Earlier this month, Brown publicly apologised for his behaviour.
In a video posting on his website, the singer said he was "truly, truly sorry", adding that what he did was unacceptable and he had apologised to his victim "countless" times.
The recommended sentence has been criticised by domestic abuse campaigners who claim that it is too lenient.
As well as community service, Brown will also have to attend classes on domestic abuse, under the plea bargain arrangements.
Reader views (2)
One set of laws for the rich and famous and one set of laws for everyone else.
- Dirk Diggler, Soho, London, 05/08/2009 13:39
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3 years in chokey should do it.
- Diplomat, Battersea, 05/08/2009 10:13
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