Rapper Kanye West has been cleared of criminal charges following a scuffle with a photographer at LA International airport on 11 September 2008.

However, the 32-year-old – who was not in court – must complete 50 hours of community service, an LA City Attorney’s Office spokesman said.

West had pleaded not guilty to charges of assault, theft and vandalism.

He and his manager, Don Crawley, were arrested after apparently breaking a photographer’s camera flash.

A video shot by the gossip website TMZ appeared to show West smashing the camera while inside the airport terminal.

Civil settlement

Mr Crawley was also charged on two counts of assault, two counts of theft and two counts of vandalism. Both men have subsequently completed an anger management course.

West’s lawyer, Blair Berk, said the case was “wildly overcharged” and that it should be dismissed in the interests of justice, fairness and common sense.

The hip-hop star and photographer are believed to have reached a civil settlement over the case.

It is not the first time West’s temper has got the better of him.

Last month he was forced to apologise after storming on stage at an awards ceremony.

The rap star experienced widespread negative publicity when he interrupted country star Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards.

He told her Beyonce should have won the best female award instead.

He has repeatedly apologised for the incident and told talk show host Jay Leno that he was taking time off from music to reflect on his behaviour.

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