Kanye West has pled no contest to assaulting a videographer.
The rapper was charged with criminal battery and attempted grand theft after allegedly attacking photographer Daniel Ramos outside of Los Angeles International Airport last summer.
TMZ broadcast a court hearing held Monday in which West’s lawyer Blair Berk entered a no contest plea on behalf of her client, who wasn’t present at the hearing.
The judge explained a no contest plea is the same as a guilty plea, and West’s punishment was determined based on the fact he is a first-time offender.
The rapper has been sentenced to 24 months of probation, he must perform 240 hours of community service and it is court-ordered he attend anger management therapy sessions. The star must also pay restitution to victim Ramos.
The battered photographer got the opportunity to issue a statement during the hearing, and he told the judge he is still “suffering mentally and emotionally” as a result of the beating.
“I feel that Kanye West should be sent to jail for his attack on me at LAX Airport on July 19, 2013. He was prosecuted for criminal battery and attempted grand theft on me and my camera that I was holding onto while I was working as a professional videographer. I was only doing my job and he broke the law,” he said just before the judge issued West’s sentence.
“I believe if I did what he did to me, I would be put behind bars. It’s now been over seven months and I’m still taking medication and feeling pain.”
Ramos is represented by famous attorney Gloria Allred. A restitution hearing during which the judge will determine how much West must pay in damages to the photographer has been set for July.
