Singer Brown's court date delayed

Bobby Brown gave himself up to police

Singer Bobby Brown's preliminary hearing on charges of battery, after allegedly hitting wife Whitney Houston, has been postponed to 5 May.

Mr Brown, 35, was to appear at Fulton County Magistrates court on Wednesday after the alleged incident in December.

Police were called to the couple's US home following reports Houston had suffered a cut lip and bruised cheek.

The couple, married since 1992, have a history of problems, including Houston admitting alcohol and drug abuse.

They live in Atlanta, Georgia and have a 10-year-old daughter, Bobbi Kristina.

Troubled

If found guilty, Mr Brown could face up to a year in jail and a $1000 (£575) fine although a first time offence of domestic violence may be dismissed by the judge if the defendant agrees to have counselling.

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

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

He began his career with R&B group New Edition and went on to become a solo singer in the 1980s and 1990s, with hit songs such as My Prerogative, Every Little Stop and Two Can Play That Game.