US RAPPER TI PLEADS GUILTY TO WEAPON POSSESSION CHARGES

US RAPPER TI PLEADS GUILTY TO WEAPON POSSESSION CHARGES

US rapper TI has pleaded guilty to federal charges of weapons possession at a court hearing in Atlanta.

In a plea agreement the 27-year-old admitting possessing machine guns and silencers, the possession of machine guns and possession of firearms by a convicted felon.

He faces a year in jail when he is sentenced next March, while he will be required to fulfil 1,000 hours of community service over the next 12 months.

TI has also been ordered to pay a $100,000 (£50,080) fine.

Attorney David Nahmias said the rapper, whose real name is Clifford Harris, would educate young people on the dangers of lifestyles based on guns, gangs and drugs.

"If Mr Harris performs as expected, his efforts and ability to reach and influence a large number of young people should prevent and deter at least some of them from committing crimes that endanger their communities and ruin their lives," the attorney explained.

TI was arrested last October hours before his scheduled headline appearance at the BET Hip-Hop awards in Atlanta.

He had initially denied the weapons possession charges and faced up to ten years in prison as a result.