Singer Brown faces police charge

Brown has spent time in jail

Singer Bobby Brown has been charged with battery after allegedly hitting wife Whitney Houston in the face.

Mr Brown, 34, turned himself in to the police three days after a reported domestic dispute at the couple's home in Atlanta, Georgia, said officials.

Following his appearance at Fulton County Magistrates a preliminary hearing date was set for 7 January.

Houston, who accompanied her husband to court, said they were trying to work out their problems "privately".

Mr Brown's lawyer, Maurice Bennett, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that his client and Houston were trying to resolve issues out "as husband and wife".

Police said they were called to the couple's home on Sunday evening, following reports Houston had suffered a cut lip and bruised cheek after her husband allegedly hit her.

Brown and Houston performed together at the 2003 VH-1 Divas show

Mr Brown was not at the house when police arrived.

Fraught relationship

The charge of battery carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a $1,000 (£575) fine, although in first-time cases of domestic violence counselling can be offered as an alternative.

Mr Brown recently served a seven-day jail term for violating his probation from an earlier drink-drive conviction.

And in 2000 he was jailed for 26 days for another probation violation.

The couple wed in 1992 and have a 10-year-old daughter.

Their personal lives have been fraught with problems, with Houston admitting she had abused alcohol and drugs.