US R&B star Chris Brown has pleaded not guilty to charges of assaulting and making threats against his girlfriend, singer Rihanna.

During a court appearance in Los Angeles, Brown spoke quietly only to enter his plea.

He faces a maximum of five years if found guilty, according to the BBC.

The singer was arrested in February following an alleged altercation with Rihanna in a suburb of Los Angeles.

The pair began arguing after Rihanna allegedly found a text message from another woman on Brown’s phone.

The row then escalated to outside the vehicle, where court documents claim Brown slammed Rihanna’s head against the window of his car before punching her.

Rihanna has remained silent about the incident, and refused to speculate on an apparent police photo, which appeared to show her injuries.

The singer’s lawyer Donald Etra said yesterday that his client wanted the case to be “resolved quickly”.

He also said it would be up to the District Attorney to decide if Rihanna should testify.

Brown said in the wake of the incident that he was "sorry and saddened", and that he was seeking counselling.

The case has been adjourned until April 29th.

(by Jason Gregory)