LIL' KIM BARRED FROM LEAVING NEW YORK

Hip-hop star LIL' KIM was forced to cancel her appearance at the KENTUCKY DERBY over the weekend (01/02MAY04), because prosecutors refused to grant her permission to leave her native New York.

According to reports, the raunchy rapper was scheduled to attend various events and her cancellations cost promoters thousands of dollars.

Lil' Kim, real name KIMBERLEY JONES, is currently facing perjury charges, stemming from a 2001 shooting outside of radio network HOT 97's studios on Greenwich Village, New York.

She will stand trial 25 November (04) for eight felony charges, including conspiracy to commit perjury, obstructing justice and making false statements.

Lil' Kim is presently free on a $500,000 (GBP277,000) bond.