Chris Brown issued restraining order from model ex-girlfriend

Troubled singer Chris Brown has been ordered to stay away from an ex-girlfriend, model Karrueche Tran, after she said he punched her and threatened to kill her.

In documents made public yesterday, a Los Angeles court granted a restraining order requested by Tran.

Brown now faces arrest if he goes near her.

Tran, who has had an on-off relationship with Brown, said that he punched her in the stomach and pushed her down the stairs several years ago but that she did not call the police.

The model, who has also appeared in television series, said she requested the restraining order as Brown had recently sent her threats by text message.

"He told a few people that he was going to kill me. He said if no one else can have me, he's gonna 'take me out,'" she wrote.

Brown, who rose to fame at a young age with his R&B voice and later rap, has become notorious for allegations of abuse.

He was convicted of beating superstar Rihanna, then his girlfriend, before the 2009 Grammy Awards, forcing the pop singer to miss the music industry's annual gala.

Last year, he was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon after a stand-off with police.

A woman had called for assistance in that incident, but Brown's lawyers insisted she had set him up amid a feud.