Rhymes sentenced for driver assault

Busta Rhymes has been sentenced to three years' probation for assaulting an ex-employee and a fan.

The rapper, 35, admitted punching his driver Eddie Hatchett in the face on Boxing Day 2006.

He was ordered to complete 10 days of community service at the hearing at Manhattan Criminal Court.

Rhymes - real name Trevor Smith - was also fined £625 plus court costs for separate charges of driving while intoxicated and with a suspended licence.

The judge told him he must enroll in an anti-drink-driving programme and signed a protection order directing him to stay away from Hatchett in the future.

Rhymes said afterwards: "I just want to say that I'm very grateful to the judge, and I'm very grateful to the system."