Rap star jailed for perjury

GRAMMY award-winning rap star Lil’ Kim was sentenced to a year and a day in jail yesterday after being convicted of perjury in the United States.

The 29-year-old diva was found guilty of repeatedly lying to a grand jury to protect friends involved in a 2001 gun battle outside a New York radio station.

She is the first high profile female rap star to be sent to prison in the US.

Lil' Kim, real name Kimberly Jones, made a plea for leniency at the Manhattan court before being sentenced and fined £28,500 ($50,000). The shooting occurred as the rapper's entourage was leaving hip-hop radio station Hot 97, and a rival rap group was arriving.

One man with the rival group was wounded.

Lil' Kim was accused of lying 29 times in three court appearances in 2003 when she told a grand jury her ex-manager was not at the station on the day and denied knowing former bodyguard Suif Jackson. Both admitted they were there and pleaded guilty to gun charges.

She had faced up to 20 years behind bars five each on three counts of perjury and one count of conspiracy.

Lil' Kim is known for her outrageous outfits and lyrics.

She won a Grammy in 2001 for her part in the remake of single Lady Marmalade, alongside Christina Aguilera, Pink and Missy Elliot.