Busta Rhymes Sentenced on Assault Charges

Tuesday March 18, 2008 03:05 PM EDT

Busta Rhymes

HENRY McGEE/GLOBE

• Facebook
• Tweet

Busta Rhymes was sentenced Tuesday to serve three years' probation and 10 days of community service, pay a $1,250 fine and court costs and enroll in a drunken driving program for his role in two separate assaults last year.

In addition, Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Larry Stephen ordered the rapper to stay out of trouble, the Associated Press reports.

Rhymes (real name: Trevor Smith), 35, stood accused of beating his former driver, Edward Hatchett, 39, on Dec. 26 "with a closed fist about the head and neck" and kicking him in the ribs and torso. Rhymes was also charged with assaulting a fan who allegedly spat on the rapper's car following an Aug. 12 concert.

After the sentencing, Rhymes, dressed in a conservative gray suit with lavender accents, told reporters, "I have no trouble being a good dude because that's what I am."
– Stephen M. Silverman

Like this story? Click on the Yahoo Buzz! button below to Buzz it up!