West Gets Community Service Over Paparazzi Scuffle

3 weeks ago 25th Oct 09:35

Kanye West has avoided criminal charges over an airport scuffle with photographers last year (08), after a California judge ordered the rapper to complete 50 hours of community service for the incident.

The Stronger hitmaker and his road manager Don Crawley were arrested on11 September, 2008, while attempting to catch a flight to Hawaii, after brawling with paparazzi at Los Angeles International Airport.

Video of the incident showed both men wrestling a camera away from a photographer and smashing parts of it on the ground.

In May (09), West and Crawley both pleaded not guilty to misdemeanour vandalism, battery and grand theft, and, on Friday (23Oct09), a Los Angeles judge dismissed the criminal charges against the pair.

West's attorney Blair Berk indicated that the rapper would volunteer with the American Red Cross as part of the sentencing.

The lawyer also revealed West had already completed 12 one-hour sessions of anger management counselling following the incident Berk also indicated a civil settlement between the rapper and the photographers was been reached last month (Sep09).

The details of that settlement have not been disclosed.

The rapper was not present in court for the hearing.