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It's taken almost six months and more column inches than Paris Hilton could muster in a decade but finally the Chris Brown case has reached a conclusion. The US R&B wonderboy turned Rihanna's maligned assailant appeared in court overnight to face charges of assault and making criminal threats. The pair were said to have fought back in February before the Grammy Awards and few can have missed the results in a leaked photo, which appeared to show his former girlfriend battered and bruised.

With Rihanna expected to testify against Brown at the Los Angeles County Superior Court, the scene was set for drama and the gathered family members, paparazzi and legal officials got exactly that when the accused suddenly changed his plea to guilty. After weeks of protesting his innocence and trying to get the hearing delayed, Brown was sentenced to five years' probation and ordered to do six months of community service.

On announcing his punishment, Judge Patricia Schnegg congratulated Brown, who must stay at least 50 yards from Rihanna, except at entertainment industry events when the distance is reduced to 10 yards, on his last minute change of heart, explaining: "I think it's commendable that you took responsibility for your conduct, sir". Meanwhile, Rihanna called the sentence "fair", despite the fact that Brown could have been jailed for four years. He agreed, saying it was a "fair and just resolution".

What do you think of the judge's verdict against Chris Brown? Is this "a fair and just resolution"? Or should he have been sent to prison? Have your say here...