Kanye West charged with battery and attempted grand theft

News broke on Friday that Kanye West has been charged with criminal battery and attempted grand theft, following a scuffle with paparazzi this July.

The incident in question took place at Los Angeles International Airport on 19 July. Upon leaving the airport for a waiting car, West became embroiled in an altercation with photographer Danny Ramos, who could be heard talking to the rapper in video footage of the incident. West was then seen to wrestle Ramos to the floor in an alleged effort to seize his camera. Reports say that Ramos was later treated for cuts and muscle strain at the Marina del Rey Hospital.

A Los Angeles city attorney spokesman said that if convicted, West could face up to six months in jail for each charge.

In August, L.A. attorney Gloria Allred filed a lawsuit against West on behalf of Ramos and attacked the culture of acceptance surrounding the incident, reasoning that “celebrity support for an attack on photographers will increase the risk of harm to them.”

The initial charges of felony assault and attempted robbery were dropped by the Los Angeles District county attorney’s office, which subsequently referred the issue to the city attorney.

West’s defence have argued that video footage, originally obtained by gossip site TMZ, does not show that West was attempting to take Ramos’ camera. They propose that West was simply trying to prevent Ramos from photographing him.

West will be brought before the L.A. Country Superior Court on 10 October, just under a fortnight before the Yeezus US tour is due to kick off.