Rapper Meek Mill has been ordered to serve at least three months on house arrest for violating the terms of his probation.
Meek Mill, real name Robert Rihmeek Williams, was found guilty of the violation in December (15), after repeatedly changing his court-approved travel schedule, and accompanying his girlfriend Nicki Minaj to the American Music Awards in Los Angeles in November (15) without the permission of his probation officer.
He faced a return to jail at the sentencing hearing held in his native Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Friday (05Feb16), when Common Pleas Judge Genece Brinkley instead placed him on home confinement.
The 28-year-old has been banned from working during the three-month period, and will only be allowed to leave the property for community service and charity work.
Judge Brinkley plans to reevaluate the sentence in 90 days to determine if Mill should serve extra time under house arrest.
He has also been ordered to spend another six years on probation, relating to drug and gun charges from 2008.
Mill was accompanied to Friday’s sentencing by his girl, who even joined the rapper in the judge’s chambers to discuss the kind of charity work he plans on doing, reports TMZ.com.
Nicki had previously tried to vouch for her man in a bid to keep him out of jail by testifying in his defence during December’s probation hearing, during which she insisted he was a transformed person.
“He’s not perfect but I can’t believe how much he’s changed,” she said, before telling the court she plans to help her boyfriend get organised and fulfil his community service requirements.
Meek also took the stand and broke down as he pleaded for leniency: “I’m not a gangsta,” he declared. “I’m not a criminal… I have my queen, Nicki, now. I’m trying to do better and feel like I can be the best rapper out there.”
The hip-hop star has been given three more weeks to enjoy his freedom, before his deadline of 1 March (16), when he must turn himself in to authorities and have an ankle bracelet fitted to monitor his whereabouts.
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