LOS ANGELES - A JUDGE has awarded nearly US$58,000 (S$87,000) to a man who claims Prince failed to pay him for editing work and unreturned equipment.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Gregory Alarcon issued the judgment on Wednesday after conducting a brief trial last month that included testimony from the video editor, Mr Ian C. Lewis.

The judgment fell well short of the US$1 million in exemplary damages that Mr Lewis was seeking. Documents show Judge Alarcon also denied Mr Lewis' claim that Prince and his company broke a US$25,000 computer because no receipts were provided.

Mr Lewis sued Prince and his company, Paisley Park Enterprises, in October 2007.

Prince's attorneys withdrew from the case and he was not represented during the trial. -- AP