Chris Brown is to be sentenced to five years probation and 180 days of community labour after reaching a plea bargain.

The 20-year-old singer, who on Monday pleaded guilty to felony assault in relation to his altercation with Rihanna on February 8, reached the deal shortly before he was due in court in Los Angeles.

The bargain meant Rihanna, who had been subpoenaed to appear in court, did not have to give evidence against her on/off boyfriend.

thankful

Brown's attorney Mark Geragos said: "He's very thankful to all the people who've been very supportive. This is a kid who's never been in trouble before, who wants to move past this and make sure that the message gets out that these kinds of things, of domestic violence, are not acceptable. And that he has accepted responsibility and continues to do so and embraces this as an opportunity for him to get his life back on track and his career back on track."

Brown is moving to Virginia and will serve his community service. He will also take a year of domestic violence classes and pay fines.

Brown, who was accused of punching, biting and choking Rihanna until she was unconscious in his silver Lamborghini, was issued a protective order, meaning he can't harm or harass Rihanna.

He was also given a stay-away order which states he must keep at least 50 yards away from the Umbrella singer, unless the pair are both at an industry event when he must only keep 10 yards clear from her.

The stay-away order was made despite Rihanna's lawyer stating it was not needed. Brown has also been banned from contacting Rihanna by phone, email or text, and she is also not allowed to get in touch with him.

Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg said: "Mr. Brown, I think it's commendable that you took responsibility for your conduct.

If the R&B singer breaks the terms of his probation, he faces four years in jail.

formally sentenced

He is expected to be formally sentenced on August 5, when a second charge of making criminal threats will be dropped.

After Judge Schnegg spoke to Brown, Rihanna and her lawyer Donald Etra were brought into court to have the terms of the deal explained to her.

The judge said the court may alter the terms of the stay-away order once Brown has been formally sentenced.