Rocker Tommy Lee is a free man - he's been released from his five-year probation sentence after showing good behaviour.

The 40-year-old rock star was charged in February 1998 with spousal abuse, child abuse and a firearms violation after his ex-wife Pamela Anderson called police from her Malibu, California, home and reported she'd been assaulted during an argument.

Lee pleaded no contest to felony corporal injury to a spouse and was sentenced to terms of 180 days in jail and three years in state prison, both of which were suspended.

Now the spousal abuse case against the former Motley Crue drummer has been reduced from a felony to a misdemeanour.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT spokesman KYLE CHRISTOPHERSON says a defense motion was also granted to dismiss the case on Thursday (08MAY03).

MALIBU SUPERIOR COURT Judge LAWRENCE MIRA told Lee, "This has been a long road for you and I and I think you've grown immeasurably. It's unfortunate you had to have court intervention to do that but you've been through a lot of personal turmoil during this period of time."

In all, Lee devoted time to more than a dozen causes for his 450 hours of community service. He also had to complete an anger management class and pass every drug test.

11/05/2003 21:29