Ashanti Stalker Jailed

An obsessed Ashanti fan who bombarded the R&B star's mother with obscene text messages has been jailed for two years.

Devar Hurd was convicted of stalking and aggravated harassment in December, and, on Thursday, a Manhattan judge sentenced the wannabe rapper to two years imprisonment. Hurd has already served eight months behind bars awaiting his trial and subsequent sentencing.

The 31 year old was arrested last year after texting a string of lewd messages to the Grammy winner's mother, Tina Douglas - including sexual and romantic scenarios and explicit images of his genitalia.

Hurd defended his actions, insisting the messages were harmless "banter".