Suge Knight charged with assault

Knight has a history of legal problems

Rap mogul Marion "Suge" Knight is facing criminal charges after being arrested on suspicion of assault.

He has been charged with two counts of drug possession and one of misdemeanour battery, according to papers filed in Las Vegas Justice Court.

When arrested in August, police said Knight, 43, was found "violently beating" Melissa Isaac in a Las Vegas parking lot while holding a knife.

Ms Isaac was not stabbed but was treated in hospital for her injuries.

'Vigorously defend'

Knight, the former head of record label Death Row Records, was also alleged to have been carrying ecstasy and hydrocodone at the time. He was released after posting bail of $19,000 (£12,690).

Knight's defence attorney, Richard Schonfeld, said Knight intended to enter a not guilty plea on 16 December.

"We're going to vigorously defend him against these charges," Mr Schonfeld was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.

If convicted, Knight could face up to four years in jail for each of the drugs charges, as well as six months for the assault charge.

Knight's Death Row Records, which launched the careers of Tupac Shakur, Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg, sold tens of millions of records before collapsing in debt and mismanagement.

After Knight filed for bankruptcy, the label was sold at auction in July for $24m (£12m).