Brown plea deal for beating Rihanna branded a 'joke'

R’n’B star Chris Brown’s plea deal – which saved him from a jail term for attacking his pop star ex-girlfriend Rihanna – was today condemned as a “joke” by justice campaigners.

Brown, 20, admitted assaulting then-girlfriend Rihanna just hours before the pair were due to perform at the Grammy Awards in February.

Under the terms of the bargain, Brown is likely to serve no jail time. Instead he will do six months’ community service and be placed on probation.

Domestic violence campaigners said the recommended sentence sent out the wrong message and could discourage women reporting violence.

Roslyn Muraskin, professor of criminal justice and director of the Long Island Women’s Institute, said: “It is letting him off the hook. What they are doing is letting him off easy.

“I do not know what it accomplishes. It is laughable.

“It will discourage people coming forward. It is revolving justice – you get a slap on the wrist and let back on the streets. It is not proper justice, it is a joke.”

The author of It’s A Crime: Women and Justice added: “It is typical (of the US justice system). They do not pay a great deal of attention to women who are the victims of domestic violence. When people get killed, that is when they pay attention.”

Retha Fielding, of the US National Domestic Violence Hotline, said: “There are so many deterrents preventing women coming forward.”

UK-based campaign groups also warned that “ineffective, low” sentencing does not protect vulnerable women.

But charities welcomed the publicity surrounding the case.

Deborah McIlveen, spokeswoman for Women’s Aid said: “We welcome the clear message that this sends around the world that domestic violence is unacceptable and perpetrators can and should be convicted.

“It takes a great deal of courage for a woman to report domestic violence to the police and go through the criminal justice process.

“We know that in this country ineffective, low sentences do not provide protection and often deter women from reporting domestic violence to the police.

“Sentences should reflect the severity of the crime and provide protection to the victim.

“Any domestic violence sentence, whether custodial or community-based, must include a requirement to attend an accredited perpetrator programme which help perpetrators address their behaviour.”

Sandra Horley, chief executive of Refuge, added: “Domestic violence is a serious crime that affects one woman in four during her lifetime.

“This case has highlighted the fact that domestic violence affects all parts of our society. A successful and popular celebrity like Rihanna is just as likely to experience domestic violence as any other woman.”

Brown 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 the Umbrella singer 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 Rihanna.

Following the attack, pictures showing the female singer’s beaten and swollen face were leaked onto the internet.

In court in LA yesterday, Rihanna had been on standby to give evidence.

Instead, after the guilty plea was entered, the singer heard details of a “stay away” order imposed by judge Patricia Schnegg.

Under the ruling, the former couple must stay at least 50 yards from each other, except at music industry events where the distance is reduced to 10 yards.

After Brown entered his guilty plea, Judge Schnegg said: “I think it is commendable you took responsibility for your conduct.”

The singer, once known for his squeaky-clean image, has lost a number of sponsors as a result of the attack on Rihanna.

As well as carrying out community service, Brown will also have to attend classes on domestic abuse. He will be formally sentenced on August 5.