11:33am UK, Friday May 16, 2008

Former basketball star Dennis Rodman has been charged over an attack on his girlfriend.

Dennis Rodman accused in LA

The eccentric sportsman, famous for his wacky hairstyles, body piercings and tattoos, was arrested at a hotel in Los Angeles last month.

Police said he had attacked his partner of four years and left her with arm injuries.

The 47-year-old has been accused of spousal battery, brandishing a deadly weapon and dissuading a witness, said City Attorney's Office spokesman Nick Velasquez.

Rodman was a star member of five NBA Championship-winning teams during stints with the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls.

He has become a regular on reality TV since retiring from basketball and appeared on British shows Love Island and Celebrity Big Brother.

He was briefly married to Baywatch star Carmen Electra and dated Madonna in the 1990s.

Rodman faces up to 36 months in jail, one year of probation, domestic violence counselling and a protective order if found guilty.

He has been ordered to appear in court on May 22.