Rap star is convicted of assault

Remy Ma was part of the successful US hip-hop group Terror Squad

Grammy-nominated rapper Remy Ma has been convicted of assault after a woman was shot in New York last year.

The defence team for the star - real name Remy Smith - told the court in Manhattan that she had fired a shot but insisted it was an accident.

The jury heard how Ms Smith had shot her friend outside a nightclub in July 2007 because she thought the woman had stolen $3,000 (£1,495) from her.

The 26-year-old faces up to 25 years in prison following her conviction.

Three operations

The rapper, who was nominated for a Grammy as part of the Terror Squad for the 2004 hit Lean Back, left the court room in tears once she heard the result.

Justice Rena Uviller ordered the star, who has also worked with Busta Rhymes and Eminem, to remain in jail without bail until she is sentenced in April.

Makeda Barnes Joseph, who was shot in the abdomen, told the court she had undergone three operations during a three-week hospital stay.

Ms Smith got into Joseph's car after a party and demanded she dump her purse, the court heard.

Assistant District Attorney Michael McIntosh told Ms Smith she took "every step you had to take to shoot somebody".

Ms Smith, who has also had solo success with songs like Conceited and Feels So Good, earned the best female hip-hop artist award at 2005's BET Awards.