Chris Brown pleads not guilty to assaulting Rihanna

Appearing in an LA courtroom on Monday 19-year-old R&B singer Chris Brown pleaded not guilty to felony assault likely to cause great bodily injury and making criminal threats.  

His mother sat, red-eyed, in the front row as he spoke. The singer was charged in March having been arrested a month earlier after police accused him of being involved in a physical altercation with his girlfriend Rihanna.

Prosecutors claim he attacked the 21-year-old during an altercation in his car in February. She had been scheduled to perform at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles later that day, but the incident forced her to pull out.

He later issued a statement saying he was "sorry and saddened" about the incident, and was seeking counselling.

Rihanna's attorney says the singer hopes a plea bargain can be struck but confirmed she is prepared to testify against the R&B star.

Neither party has clarified their relationship since the disagreement.

Photo: © Getty Images