Sean “Diddy” Combs has been sentenced to more than four years in prison over prostitution charges relating to his former girlfriends and male sex workers.
Judge Arun Subramanian handed down his 50-month sentence – including a $500,000 fine – at the end of a long and emotional full-day hearing, which saw the hip-hop mogul speak out for the first time in court.
Combs, 55, admitted his past behaviour was “disgusting, shameful and sick”, and apologised personally to Cassie Ventura and “Jane”, another former girlfriend who testified anonymously during the trial.
But despite his plea for “mercy” and expressions of remorse, the judge told him he had abused his “power and control” with women he professed to love – and rejected the defence’s characterisation that “freak off” sexual encounters were consensual experiences, that his was just a “sex, drugs and rock’n’roll story”.
Addressing Cassie and “the other brave survivors who came forward”, the judge said. “We heard you… I can only say your families are proud of you and your children will be proud of you.
“You weren’t just talking to the jury you were talking to the women who feel powerless – you gave them a voice, you stood up to power, it’s not easy.”
Combs showed no visible change of emotion as his sentence was delivered, looking straight ahead as the judge spoke. Afterwards, he seemed subdued – with no sign of the enthusiasm or feeling showed earlier in the day.
Six of Combs’s children, including Chance, right, and twins Jessie and D’Lila Star, addressed the judge in support of their father. Pic: AP/Richard Drew
Ahead of his own speech, the court heard from six of his seven children – causing the rapper to break down in tears as they spoke about how much they loved him, how he has changed, and how much they and their younger two-year-old sister need him.
The sentencing brings to an end a sordid case that featured harrowing testimony – not just from Cassie and Jane, but also from former employees and associates of Combs.
He was convicted in July of flying people around the US and abroad for sexual encounters, including his then girlfriends and male sex workers, in violation of prostitution laws.
However, he was cleared of more serious charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex-trafficking that could have put him in jail for life.
‘I hate myself right now’
Diddy cried as his children read impact statements.
On the eve of his sentencing, Combs submitted a letter to the judge pleading for “mercy” and apologising for the “hurt and pain” he has caused others.
He expanded on this in court, saying he wanted to “personally apologise” to Cassie for “any harm” he caused her “emotionally or physically”, and to Jane – and all victims of domestic violence.
He told the court he got “lost in my excess and lost in my ego”, but since his time in prison he has been “humbled and broken to my core”.
Combs continued: “I hate myself right now… I am truly sorry for it all.”
