Chris Brown taken into custody by federal marshals for trial

Los Angeles - R&B singer Chris Brown was taken from his Los Angeles jail cell by the US Marshals Service and will be transported to Washington, DC, for a hearing on a misdemeanor assault charge, federal authorities said on Thursday.

Brown, 24, was jailed last month after violating his probation and court-ordered treatment related to his 2009 assault of his then-girlfriend, singer Rihanna. He is currently in California and will be taken to Washington and stand trial on 17 April, US Marshals Service spokesperson Lynzey Donahue said.

Brown's lawyer Mark Geragos had asked the court to have Brown released ahead of the trial into his custody so that they could prepare for the trial and travel together to Washington.

A court hearing on the matter was set for Thursday, but Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge James Brandlin cancelled it and will issue a written decision instead.

Brown faces a misdemeanor assault charge in Washington from an October 2013 incident where he was accused of allegedly punching a man who was trying to get a picture with him, breaking his nose.

The singer was sentenced by Brandlin to 90 days in a treatment programme following his altercation in Washington.