US rapper 50 Cent and his former girlfriend, Shaniqua Tompkins, will face each other in court over the custody of their 11-year-old son.

The trial, which will begin at the New York Family court on October 22nd, follows months of legal arguments between the pair.

Earlier this year, Tompkins claimed that the rapper was involved in a fire which broke out at a property where she and their son, Marquis, were staying in May.

An investigation into the fire at the property in Long Island, which was owned by the rapper, is still ongoing.

The rapper, who real name is Curtis Jackson, has denied being behind the blaze.

Yesterday the judge granted Jackson weekend visitation rights, which mean he will be able to see his son every other weekend until the trial.

But a protection order, which prevents him from going near the child's mother, also remains in place.

(by Jason Gregory)