LOS ANGELES, USA (AP) – Chris Brown received an “extremely favourable” report from probation officials overseeing his felony assault case, a judge said yesterday.

Brown appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom to offer a judge his first progress report since being sentenced for beating ex-girlfriend Rihanna earlier this year. He talked and laughed with his lawyer before the hearing, which took less than 10 minutes.

The R&B singer is serving five years of probation and must attend domestic violence counselling and perform six months of community labour in Virginia.

Brown’s attorney, Mark Geragos, says Brown has already done 100 hours of community labour.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg said Brown has also paid all of his court-ordered fees and fines.

Both Brown and Rihanna are trying to put the beating behind them by focusing on their careers. Rihanna has a popular new single titled Russian Roulette. Brown is due to release his third album on December 8.

Brown is due back in court for another progress report on February 18. Schnegg told Brown that once he completes his community service and counselling sessions, she won’t require him to come back to court every three months.