MOBB DEEP - RAPPER PRODIGY HOSPITALISED, AVOIDS JAIL TERM AGAIN

RAPPER PRODIGY HOSPITALISED, AVOIDS JAIL TERM AGAIN

LATEST: MOBB DEEP rapper PRODIGY has avoided jail for the second time in six weeks - he's been hospitalised in New York after suffering complications from sickle cell anaemia. The hip-hop star, real name Albert Johnson, was taken to Montefiore Hospital in The Bronx area of the state on Wednesday (13Feb08) - the same day he was due to turn himself in to authorities to begin his three-and-a-half year prison term for gun possession offences. He was previously admitted to the emergency room on 8 January (08) and was given a month's reprieve to check himself into a penitentiary. Johnson is currently being treated for severe lung pain and could even require a hip replacement, according to his lawyer Irving Cohen. Cohen appeared before Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Edward MCLaughlin on Wednesday to relay the information of his client's hospitalisation and explain the delay in reporting to jail. He said of the sentencing, "Everybody wants to get this done. But this is a crisis situation." But MCLaughlin failed to sympathise with Johnson's illness and told the attorney to return later that afternoon to provide a progress report, before adding: "It could be he will have to have the operation in the state prison system." If a hip operation is needed, it will be the 33-year-old's second replacement surgery - he underwent a similar procedure last year (07) when he was forced to seek medical help during one of three visits related to the blood disorder, reports New York Post's gossip column PageSix.