Hip-hop star Snoop Dogg has avoided a prison sentence over possesion of a dangerous weapon charges.

The rapper - real name Calvin Broadus - was instead sentenced to 160 hours of community service and three years of probation by a Californian court on Thursday, following his arrest last year at John Wayne Airport after a collapsible baton was found in his hand luggage.

Snoop's attorney commented afterwars, "We are very pleased with the outcome. Snoop's goal is to make music, not make court appearances.

"He wants to get on with his life. He will continue his music and his filming and performing."