MYSTIKAL - MYSTIKAL PLEADS GUILTY TO BATTERY

Rapper MYSTIKAL has pleaded guilty to charges he forced his hairstylist to perform sex acts on him and two bodyguards.

Mystikal, real name MICHAEL TYLER, had been charged with aggravated rape, which carries a sentence of life in prison if convicted. He agreed to plead guilty to extortion and a sexual battery charge.

He was yesterday (26JUN03) sentenced to five years probation for extortion and has a 25 September (03) sentencing date for the second charge, sexual battery.

Prosecutor SUE BERNIE says the rap star confronted his hairdresser in his Baton Rouge, Louisiana, apartment last July (02) and accused her of stealing cheques from him. Tyler told the woman he would not tell police about the cheques if she did something "degrading" for him, says Bernie.

Mystikal told her to perform oral sex on him and LELAN 'POKIE' ELLIS, 37, and VERCY 'V' CARTER, 35, says Bernie. The men videotaped the sex acts, which Bernie says included intercourse.

The rapper's attorney DAVID BOURLAND says his client does not agree with all the allegations, but agrees that sexual battery took place.

Mystikal says, "I'm glad that it's getting behind me."