Closed. The boat sank, the sharks won.

19 year old Chris Brown pleaded guilty to a single count of assault on his former girlfriend and was sentenced to 6 months community labour, with 5 years probation during which time he will have to attend courses on Domestic Violence.

Is that enough for a first offence? Or is it a slapped wrist for a young man who will go on to do it again?

Brown was originally facing a jail term of up to 4 years but in a statement outside the court his lawyer said that

"He embraces this as a chance to get the message out that domestic violence will not be tolerated. He wants to get his life back on track."

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg told him:

"I think it’s commendable that you took responsibility for your conduct, sir."

He made the right noises and got away with less punishment. Does it make any difference that Brown is This Chris Brown? And that the former girlfriend is Rihanna? I’m not sure, but I don’t think it should. On the one hand the celebrity of a young R&B singer standing up and speaking out against domestic violence could have a HUGE impact, but he’s not suggested he do that has he?

But you know what bothers me more? 

After Brown left the courtroom, Rihanna entered and was addressed by Judge Schnegg who explained to the Barbados-born singer that she had issued a stay-away order.

The singer had not been seeking such an order, but the judge imposed one anyway.

The order requires that Brown and Rihanna stay at least 50 yards (45m) from each other, except at entertainment industry events when the distance is reduced to 10 yards (9m).

The judge also told Rihanna it is not a one-way order - and that she, too, should not get any closer to Brown than the order allows.

Rihanna didn’t seek a Stay Away order but one was imposed anyway? And that last bit "it is not a one way order" just implies that Rihanna is just as wrong as he is and just as guilty. Well, I suppose we don’t know all the details of this particular case but how many times do you hear "she asked for it" or "she provoked me"? How many? And how many times is that allowed as a good reason for violence?