Chris Brown charged with reportedly assaulting Rihanna

Chris Brown charged with reportedly assaulting Rihanna

By Dan Whitcomb
Reuters
February 10, 2009

DVDs Australia

SINGER Chris Brown was yesterday arrested and charged with making criminal threats against a woman widely thought to be his famous girlfriend Rihanna.

The alleged assault came just hours before the pair were due to appear at the Grammy awards.

Both were nominated and scheduled to perform but separately dropped out at the last minute, leaving a huge hole in the awards telecast.

As the show was getting underway, Brown turned himself in for questioning by Los Angeles police.

He was booked on a charge of making criminal threats and released on $US50,000 bail, according to police.

Brown was being investigated for alleged domestic violence felony battery, and additional charges could be filed after officials review the case.

Police said Brown got into an argument with a woman while sitting in a parked car in the LA's Hancock Park at around 12:30am on Sunday.

"After stopping his car, Brown and the woman got out and the argument escalated," the police said.

"The woman suffered visible injuries and identified Brown as her attacker."

Police received a 911 call reporting the disturbance and according to the statement, when officers arrived they found the victim, but Brown had already left the scene.

Rihanna cancelled her performance shortly before the Grammys started, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences said.

"We have just been informed that Rihanna will not be attending tonight's 51st Annual Grammy Awards," a spokesperson said.

"We're sorry she is unable to join us."

There was no further explanation for her absence.

Soul legend Al Green performed alongside pop star Justin Timberlake in Rihanna's place.

Grammy officials made no mention of Brown's performance but he did not appear on stage as scheduled.