Chris Brown barred from Britain because of Rihanna beating

Pop singer Chris Brown was sentenced August 25 to serve five years probation and to spend more than 1,400 hours in "labor-oriented service" for assaulting his pop star girlfriend, Rihanna. (Pool photo)

By ALAN DUKE, CNN

Story Created: Jun 8, 2010 at 11:10 PM PST

Story Updated: Jun 9, 2010 at 2:01 PM PST

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(CNN) -- British officials, citing worries that singer Chris Brown might pose a danger to British citizens, barred him from entering the United Kingdom for concerts this week, a UK border official said.

Brown pleaded guilty last year to a felony charge of assaulting his then-girlfriend, pop star Rihanna.

"We reserve the right to refuse entry to the UK to anyone guilty of a serious criminal offense," said Barbara Woodward, director of the UK border agency's international group. "Public safety is one of our primary concerns."

The 21-year-old R&B singer was scheduled to perform Wednesday night in Glasgow, Scotland, with shows in three English cities -- Manchester, Birmingham and London -- scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Sunday, according to his official website. He was then scheduled to perform in Cork, Ireland next Tuesday.

A publicist for Brown's UK tour said the shows in England, Scotland and Ireland were canceled "due to issues surrounding his work visa."

Brown vented in Twitter messages posted online to his fans late Monday:

"U ever feel like the storm clouds are too thick for any sunshine to get through?"

"think ima go away!!!!"

Brown was sentenced last August to serve five years probation and to spend more than 1,400 hours in "labor-oriented service" for the assault conviction.

A British Home Office official told CNN that "because of his felony charge, it might not be a very good idea" to allow Brown into the country. The official asked not to be quoted by name because he was not authorized to speak to the media about the matter.

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Jo said on Wednesday, Jun 9 at 5:29 PM

"Public safety?" WTF does a fight betrween a 19 yr old and a 20 yr have to do with UK publicsafety? This is just grand standing on the UK officials side. They need to focus on the fallingERUO & constant threat of terrorism. I'm confused tho, the allowed convicted felon RobertDownery Jr in to promote Sherlock Holmes gee this smells like RACISM TO ME! Theyallowed felon child ****** Romine Pollaski in their country but a 21 yr old who had a personalfight with a person that struck him 1st rises to the level of UK "Public safety"? They could have told Chris last week why wait until the night his fans are gathered at a sold out venue to deny him. RACISM at its very BEST!

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