Chris Brown's restraining order relaxed

Chris Brown has had his restraining order against Rihanna relaxed.

The 21-year-old singer - who was sentenced to five years probation and six months of community service for assaulting the 'What's My Name' hitmaker in 2009 - was told yesterday (22.02.11) that the five-year order, which bans him from being within 100 yards as his ex-girlfriend, was being reduced to a level one.

This means as long as Chris doesn't "harass, bother or molest" the 23-year-old beauty, they are able to interact with one another.

Last month, the 'I Can Transform Ya' hitmaker's lawyer Mark Geragos asked Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Snegg to lift the order following his successful completion of 52 weeks of domestic violence therapy, because it was becoming tough for Chris to attend music industry events.

He said: "It makes it difficult at awards shows and such."

While the judge did not immediately grant the request, she praised the hard work Chris had undertaken in order to reform his character.

She said: "Out of thousands of probationers, no one has done a better or more consistent job than you have, and I really want to commend you for taking responsibility and actually working diligently to complete all the things the court has required of you."