LIL' KIM BEGINS HER SENTENCE

LATEST: Rapper LIL' KIM was assigned to a federal detention centre just outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, yesterday (19SEP05) to begin serving a 366-day sentence for perjury.

The charges stem from the star's March (05) conviction on three counts of perjury and conspiring to lie to a grand jury.

She said in a statement prepared before she went behind bars: "Today begins a new saga in my life which I expect to strengthen me and allow me time for reflection.

"I am blessed to have so many great things in my life - family, friends and God. All will be in my thoughts daily. I plan to write music while in prison, read and pray regularly and will come out a stronger, more confident woman."

Lil' Kim, real name KIMBERLY JONES, also reminds fans in the statement that her fourth album, THE NAKED TRUTH, is released later this month (SEP05).