Assault charges against American rapper LOON have been dropped by a Los Angeles judge.

The star - real name CHAUNCEY HAWKINS - was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon after a security guard was stabbed outside a club in Hollywood in February (04).

But Superior Court Judge RICHARD STONE threw out the charges at a preliminary hearing on Wednesday (8SEP04) because neither the victim or a witness could identify the rapper - according to
district attorney's spokeswoman SANDI GIBBONS.

Charges against two of Hawkins' acquaintances, WILLIAM REYES and TEON TANQUERAY were also dropped.

The three were arrested amid allegations the security guard was attacked after refusing to let them into a party for rapper LIL' JON & THE EAST SIDE BOYZ.