娱乐英语新闻:Singer Chris Brown "sorry" for Rihanna assault

BEIJING, July 21 (Xinhuanet) -- American singer Chris Brown Monday apologized in a video statement posted on the Internet following an assault of his ex-girlfriend Rihanna last February.

He said he accepted "full responsibility" and expressed his "deepest regret" over the attack which left 21-year-old Rihanna with facial injuries.

    In the two-minute video posted on his website, chrisbrownworld.com, and subsequently on the video sharing website YouTube, Brown said, "I've told Rihanna countless times and I'm telling you today I'm truly, truly sorry I wasn't able to handle the situation differently and better."

R&B singer Chris Brown sits during a preliminary hearing at a Criminal Court in Los Angeles June 22, 2009. Brown pleaded guilty on Monday to assaulting his former girlfriend, pop star Rihanna.

    The singer was arrested following the assault and has admitted a felony assault. He must attend anger management courses and do 1,400 hours of "labor-oriented service."

    The incident began when Rihanna, who was riding in a rented Lamborghini sports car driven by Brown, found a text message on his cell phone from "a woman who Brown had a previous sexual relationship with," according to a sworn statement by Los Angeles Police Detective DeShon Andrews.

A photo allegedly shows Rihanna's beaten face was post on the TMZ website

"A verbal argument ensued," followed by the physical attack, police say. Brown is said to have punched Rihanna numerous times and put her in a headlock, restricting her breathing and causing her to start to lose consciousness. He threatened to beat her and kill her, according to the statement, and he bit her ear and her fingers.

    "I take great pride in me being able to exercise self-control and what I did was inexcusable," Brown said in his video apology. "I am very sad and very ashamed of what I've done. My mother and my spiritual teachers have taught me way better than that."

Pop star Rihanna (R) stands next to her defense attorney Donald Etra during a preliminary hearing at a Criminal Court in Los Angeles June 22, 2009

The singer is prohibited in contacting his former girlfriend Rihanna until he completes the course of domestic violence counseling.