Busta Rhymes faces weapons charges again

Rapper Busta Rhymes faces a new weapon charge in his assault case, following his alleged beating of a teenage fan on New York City's Randall's Island in August.

The hip-hop star, real name Trevor Smith, was arrested on August 12 for allegedly assaulting Roberto Lebron following the AmsterJam Music Festival.

At an October hearing, Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Shawndya Simpson dropped prosecutors' charge of possession of a weapon, but ordered the rapper to stand trial on assault and harassment charges.

However, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office filed a misdemeanour charge of criminal possession of a weapon yesterday, following police claims the star was carrying a 10-inch (25.4 centimetre) blade in his vehicle at the time of arrest.

Smith, 34, appeared in court yesterday, but remained silent.