Los Angeles (AFP) - 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 on Tuesday (Feb 21), a Los Angeles court granted a restraining order requested by Tran, with Brown facing arrest if he comes near her.

Tran, who has had an on-off relationship with Brown, said he punched her in the stomach and pushed her down the stairs several years ago but 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 R&B and later rap, has become notorious for alleged abuse.

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

Last year, he was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon after a standoff with the police.

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