US rapper Lil Wayne will spend 12 months behind bars after pleading guilty to weapons charges yesterday in New York.

The US rapper was arrested in 2007 when police found a loaded semiautomatic gun on his tour bus.

His case was rescheduled twice before its hearing; firstly because he had to have work on his bejewelled teeth (seems reasonable) and secondly because a fire broke out in the Manhattan criminal court before the proceedings.

The 27 year old was finally sentenced and sent to serve the first day of his term at Riker Island prison. Reports are suggesting that Lil Wayne’s fame has allowed him distance from the other inmates.

Lil Wayne’s fall from grace comes after a successful grab at the big time, winning four Grammies last year for Tha Carter III, one of the best selling album of 2008. Latest album Rebirth was released just last month.

- Carley Hall