Rapper Lil Wayne has finally begun his year-long prison term after a string of delays postponed his sentencing for weapons possession, stemming from a 2007 arrest.
 
Lil Wayne, whose real name is Dwayne Carter, pleaded guilty last year to attempted criminal possession of a weapon, and admitted having a loaded .40-caliber semiautomatic gun on his tour bus.
 
He was initially expected to be sentenced to a year behind bars in February, but he was granted a postponement to undergo dental surgery. The rescheduled hearing then had to be delayed again, after a fire in the basement of the courthouse forced officials to evacuate the building and close it down for the rest of the day.
 
However, the Lollipop hitmaker was finally sentenced at the Manhattan Criminal Court yesterday, and was taken away in handcuffs to begin his term at an undisclosed city jail.

According to the Associated Press, the Grammy winner's lawyer plans to ask for protective custody out of concern for the rapper’s safety in jail and on health grounds, following the rapper’s dental surgeries.
 
Lil Wayne could be released in about eight months if he is given time off his sentence for good behaviour.
 
All we’ve got to say about this is don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time…

Photos: Elite