Controversial rocker Marilyn Manson has pleaded no contest to charges of disorderly conduct and assault and battery.

The 33-year-old was in court to answer charges after he allegedly gyrated his body against the neck of a security guard who was working on stage during a Marilyn Manson gig.

Manson, whose real name is Brian Warner, was ordered to pay fines totalling $4,000 (�2,678). A plea of no contest is not an admission of guilt.

The incident was alleged to have taken place in July 2001 during a gig at the DTE Energy Music Theatre in Michigan.

The guard, who has not been named, told police Manson had come up and danced sexually towards him.

Manson is known for wearing his trademark scary make-up

The charge had originally been one of criminal sexual misconduct but this was reduced to disorderly conduct, which carries a maximum 90-day jail term.

Similar behaviour

After the hearing in Clarkston, Michigan, Manson - minus his trademark white painted face - signed autographs for fans before queueing to pay off his fines.

Manson is also being sued by security guards who accuse him of similar behaviour during an October 2000 concert in Minneapolis, and at another show in August 2001 in Long Island, New York.

In a separate case, he is also being sued for wrongful death by the mother of a woman who died when the vehicle she was driving smashed into parked cars.

Jennifer Syme, a former girlfriend of actor Keanu Reeves, died in April 2001 when her Jeep Cherokee crashed following a party at Manson's home.

Her mother, Maria St John, is suing the singer claiming Manson was negligent in "instructing the woman to operate a motor vehicle in her incapacitated condition".

But he strongly denies any involvement in her death, saying he ensured she got home safely but then she took it upon herself to go out again in her car.

Manson, a former music journalist, is one of the most controversial characters in music and his concerts are often picketed by religious and civil rights groups.