January 20, 2003 17:25

BROWN AND OUT

Mr Whitney Houston to spend eight days inside for a 1996 drink-driving offence...

BOBBY BROWN has been sentenced to eight days in prison, banned from driving for a year, ordered to pay a total of $2,800 in fines and court costs, and ordered to perform 240 hours of community service, after pleading guilty to drink-driving.

The 33-year-old singer, who is married to Whitney Houston, appeared at DeKalb County Court on Friday (January 17) to answer the 1996 charge.

A warrant for his arrest had been issued earlier last week after he left Georgia against his bond conditions, and failed to turn up for an appointment with local authorities, appearing instead on TV alongside Ja Rule at the American Music Awards last Monday (January 13).

The judge had issued a warrant for Brown's arrest this week, because the singer left Georgia in violation of his bond to perform at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles.

Sentencing, Judge Wayne M Pudom said: "Mr Brown, you can't know from your position how tempting it is in this case to just throw the book at you." According to CNN.com, Brown was taken into custody immediately, commenting: "It's over," as he was escorted from the court room.

Brown also faces charges in Atlanta, where he was arrested on November 7 on charges of possessing less than an ounce of marijuana, speeding and having no driver's licence or proof of insurance. After posting bond in Atlanta, he was transferred to the neighbouring DeKalb County Jail to face the older charges.

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