Rhianna with her then-boyfriend Chris Brown who has been refused a UK tour visa. Photograph: Lucas Jackson/Reuters

R&B singer Chris Brown has been denied a visa to enter the UK just days before his tour was due to start.

The US star, who was sentenced to six months’ community labour for assaulting his then girlfriend Rihanna last February, was due to begin his tour in Glasgow tomorrow night.

Brown, 21, was refused the visa on the grounds of being guilty of a serious criminal offence, the Home Office said.

Tour promoters SJM said the concerts had been “postponed” and that dates to see the Run It! and Kiss Kiss singer would be rescheduled.

He was due to perform in Birmingham, Manchester and London on Thursday, Friday and Sunday respectively, and in Ireland next Tuesday.

The Home Office said: “We reserve the right to refuse entry to the UK to anyone guilty of a serious criminal offence. Public safety is one of our primary concerns.

“Each application to enter the UK is considered on its individual merits.”

Brown was sentenced in August last year to five years’ probation, 180 days’ community labour and told to attend a domestic violence programme.

He submitted his visa application on 1 June and would have learnt yesterday that it had been refused.

SJM said: “Due to unforeseen circumstances the Chris Brown UK tour … has unfortunately been postponed.

“Ticket buyers should hold on to their tickets as there will be more news in the forthcoming days of possible rearranged dates.”

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