The rapper Remy Ma has been handed an eight-year jail sentence by a New York judge for her role in a Manhattan nightclub shooting last year.

The 26-year-old, famed for her solo work as well as being part of Fat Joe's rap crew Terror Squad, was involved in the incident last July when her former friend Makeda Barnes-Joseph was shot and injured while sitting in her car outside the Pizza Bar.

Ma, according to witness testimonies, was enraged as she suspected her friend of stealing $3,000 from her purse. The rapper was identified by Barnes-Joseph as the perpetrator.

Ma, whose real name is Reminisce Smith, later turned herself in to police and was charged with assault, illegal weapon possession and attempted coercion of witnesses in relation to the incident - charges Ma denied.

However, she was found guilty by New York's state supreme court and today sentenced to an eight-year custodial sentence.

She could have faced up to 25 years in prison for the offences.

It is thought Ma plans to appeal.


13/05/2008 19:21:38