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Chris Brown has been sentenced to six months community labour for assaulting Rihanna.
The 20-year-old singer – who punched, choked and hit Rihanna in his rented Lamborghini in February – was formally sentenced in Los Angeles and must clean graffiti and wash cars for 1,400 hours in Virginia.
Referring to why Chris' sentencing was delayed earlier this month, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg said, "I delayed sentencing last time because I wanted to see what the state of Virginia was going to require from Mr Brown. I wanted a firm plan. I wanted to see actual physical labour rather than some sort of community service."
"I have read this new one and reviewed it and I've also received a letter, addressed to me, from the Chief of Police of Richmond who said that he understands and will personally supervise you in performing your manual labour task, which include washing cars, cleaning and maintaining grounds, graffiti removal. He will personally supervise your work," she said.
Chris – who agreed a plea bargain after being charged with felony assault, meaning he would plead guilty in return for no jail time – also received five years probation and was ordered to go to domestic violence classes for a year. He also has to pay fines totalling $5,000 (R39,000) and appear in court every three months starting on November 19.
Despite Rihanna's lawyer Donald Etra previously claiming it wasn't needed, Judge Schnegg banned Chris from getting in touch with Rihanna for five years and he must stay at least 100 yards away from her. At an entertainment event, he must keep clear by 10 yards.
Chris pled guilty in June and was issued a stay-away order at the hearing, which stated he must remain at least 50 yards away from the 'Umbrella' singer at all times. However, there have been several reports the pair have broken the order. Appearing to refer to the rumours, Judge Schnegg said, "I'm not immune to any chatter on the airwaves. Do you understand, Mr. Brown, that any violation of this order is a violation of your probation and it comes with the possible penalty of prison?" Chris replied he understood the terms.
Etra insisted Rihanna was happy with the terms of the order, saying, "There were no surprises today. The decision was up to the court, not Rihanna." He added the 21-year-old singer will be able to appeal to the court to change the terms in the future.
Violent history?
Court documents filed by a probation officer ahead of Chris' sentencing for the assault state the pair were involved in a furious argument just three weeks earlier. The pair were in Rihanna's native Barbados, when they began arguing while driving in a Range Rover. The documents state, "They had an argument inside the car. Brown exited and broke the front driver and passenger side windows of the car. No one was injured during the incident."
Three months before the February 8 altercation, the couple argued again in Europe, resulting in the 21-year-old 'Umbrella' singer slapping Chris. The paper states Chris "responded by shoving her into a wall".
Should the judge have been more harsh on Chris?
