The seemingly always in trouble Busta Rhymes appeared in court in New York this week and was handed three years of probation in relation to four separate charges.
The rap star, real name Trevor Smith, was accused and convicted of assaulting a fan in August 2006, assaulting his former driver in December 2006, two driving charges, and a weapons possession charge. In addition to the probation, he will perform ten days community service, pay a fine of $1250 plus court costs and enrol on a drunk drivers course. The judge in the case, Larry Stephen warned the hip-hopper that he'd end up in the klink if he didn't stick to the straight and narrow, however, telling him: "If you mess up, you're going to jail. I've given you a chance".
Outside the courtroom, Rhymes told reporters: "I have no trouble being a good dude because that's what I am. I couldn't feel better, and this couldn't have happened at a better time. I thank the judge for giving me a chance and I thank everybody for being supportive".