US rapper DMX given jail sentence

The rapper told the court he is suffering from gout

US rap star DMX has been sentenced to 90 days in prison for theft, drug possession and animal cruelty offences.

The musician - real name Earl Simmons - has been in custody since December when he was arrested in Miami for failing to make a court appearance in Phoenix.

The judge said she would allow him to apply to serve his sentence in Florida.

The 38-year-old admitted the offences last month, including one count of animal cruelty brought after police searched his Arizona home in May.

Authorities said they found 12 neglected dogs and three carcasses, along with drug paraphernalia and weapons.

The rapper, who was not given credit for time already served in jail, has sold around 20m records worldwide.

His first five albums topped the US chart in their initial week of release.