Chris Brown has been given five years' probation for his attack on former girlfriend Rihanna.

The R&B singer was also sentenced to 180 days community labour during an appearance at Los Angeles Superior Court yesterday.

Brown, who pleaded guilty in June to assaulting his then girlfriend, will also have to attend domestic violence counselling and stay at least 100 yards from Rihanna for the next five years.

Sentencing was delayed earlier this month after Judge Patricia Schnegg said she wanted to allow more time for authorities in Virginia to decide whether Brown could serve community labour, rather than community service in the state.

The singer will now be forced to perform tasks such as rubbish clearing, graffiti removal and washing vehicles.

Brown, who did not speak in court except to acknowledge his sentence, beat Rihanna outside a parked car in Los Angeles in February.

The incident took place just hours before both stars were due to appear at the Grammy Awards.

(by Jason Gregory)