American rapper Ja Rule appeared in Toronto court on Monday and pleaded guilty to making "one punch to the eye" of a nightclub patron last summer.

The singer, who could have been facing a more serious charge of assault causing bodily harm but pleaded not guilty, was fined $1,200 for attacking the man at the Canadian “La Rouge” nightclub on June 5 after being assaulted by a group of 50 Cent fans. Prosecutors agreed to the lesser charge partly because Rule was provoked by a crowd who shouted "derogatory" remarks about his current dispute with hip-hop star Fiddy.

"I just want to say I apologize to the city of Toronto, I am just sorry for my actions," 29-year-old Ja said outside the courthouse, surrounded by his lawyers and bodyguards.

"He felt sorry for what he had done," his lawyer Steven Skurka told Reuters. "The judge found the conduct of the patrons at the club unacceptable and called it disgraceful.”

Ja Rule was in Canada filing Assault on Precinct 13.