Busta Rhymes Gets Probation on Assault Charges

Busta RhymesBusta Rhymes, on his real name Trevor Smith, was ordered by a New York courtroom on Wednesday to serve three years’ probation and 10 days of community service for assaulting his former driver and a fan.

Busta Rhymes, 35, pleaded guilty for two charges of assault on a fan that reportedly spat on his car in August 2006 and then assault on his driver in a beef over money in December, the same year. Both of them received an order of protection against Rhymes.

Instead of sending to him to prison for a year, as prosecutors suggested, Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Larry Stephen opted to “punish” the hip-hop singer with just 10 days of community service and a three years’ probation sentence.

Rhymes also faced charges of drunken driving in 2007 and driving with a suspended license in 2006. He was fined $1,250, plus court costs and ordered to enroll in a drunk-driving education program as part of his plea in the DUI case and give up his driver’s license for six months. The rapper is scheduled to appear in court in March 18 when he has to enroll in the drunken driving program.

“I just want to say that I’m very grateful to the judge, I’m very grateful to the system. I believe in the system. It hasn’t failed me personally yet,” Rhymes said outside the court, according to Reuters.

He also added that he was glad to put all the accusations behind him and to continue doing what he likes,” making great music and great films and being a people person.