Disgraced R&B singer Chris Brown was sentenced to five years of probation and 180 days of community labour yesterday for assaulting his former girlfriend, pop star Rihanna, in February.

The 20-year-old singer, who appeared before a court judge with his mother, best friend and bodyguards, was also ordered to stay at least 100 yards away from Rihanna until August 2014, a distance that can be reduced to 10 yards during industry events.

Brown assaulted Rihanna during an argument that began in the small hours of February 8, while the couple were in a rented Lamborghini prior to the Grammy music awards. The incident left the 21-year-old starlet bloodied and bruised, and stunned Brown's fans.

A Los Angeles police detective described the brutal attack in a search warrant affidavit filed in the court case, stating Brown hit, choked and bit Rihanna and tried at one point to push her from the car.

A probation report released after the sentencing showed it was not the first violent incident the couple was involved in.

Three months before the Los Angeles incident, Brown shoved Rihanna into a wall after she slapped him during an argument. About two months later, another argument in a Range Rover in Rihanna's native Barbados led to Brown smashing the windows, according to the report. The two incidents were not reported to authorities.

Brown will be able to serve his sentence in his home state of Virginia, but will be required to return to Los Angeles every three months to update Judge Patricia Schnegg on his progress.

"I wanted to see actual physical labour as opposed to community service," Ms Schnegg said.

This will include "trash pickup, car cleaning and maintaining grounds," the judge said, and he will also participate in counselling at a Catholic charity.

In addition Brown was ordered to complete a one-year domestic violence program.

Ms Schnegg said she was aware of broadcast "chatter" that mentioned possible meetings between the two performers, and warned Brown that such encounters would be unacceptable.

"This is a felony conviction with the potential for state prison if probation is violated in any way," the judge said.

District attorney spokesman Sandi Gibbons said the DA's office felt the sentence for Brown "is an equitable one. It's in his hands."

Brown said he understood the sentence. Upon leaving the courtroom, he and his lawyer declined to speak with reporters.

Rihanna's lawyer, Donald Etra, said Rihanna is "doing fine and concentrating on pursuing her career."

Brown formally apologized in a video released on You Tube last month, calling the incident "unacceptable, 100 percent," and asking for forgiveness.

The singer’s career has suffered since his arrest, with sponsors dropping him and radio stations refusing to play his music. Both he and Rihanna had to cancel several high-profile appearances, including planned performances at the Grammy Awards the day of the attack.

In the probation report, Brown is quoted as saying he has been “depressed” since the attack and that he “does not want to carry on that cycle.”

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