Sean “Diddy” Combs has been handed a 50-month jail sentence on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. 

Judge Arun Subramanian addressed Combs at length telling the hip-hop mogul that the court had seen “massive” amounts of evidence against him and consequently a significant sentence was required.

The sentence was intended to send a signal to the public: “It is a message to abusers and victims alike and when victims come forward about crimes of abuse, they should trust that sharing their stories can lead to concrete actions,” the Judge added. 

He also orders Combs to pay a $500,000 fine. Combs had earlier accepted in front of the court that his actions were “disgusting, shameful and sick” as he apologised to the victims and to his children.

Reaction completely different

When he was acquitted three months ago of sex trafficking and racketeering, Combs fell to his knees and told his family after the verdict that he was “coming home”. At that time he was found guilty of two lesser prostitution charges, but hoped his nightmare was coming to a close.

At this sentencing, Combs sat quietly in his chair and was non-reactive for much of the judge’s speech. He was convicted of flying people across the US for sexual encounters he called “freak-offs”, including his girlfriends and male sex workers.  

Praise for the victims 

The judge rejected the defence portrayal of his relationships with Cassie Ventura and the other victim, known as Jane Doe, as intimate and consensual. He instead praised the women for coming forward and telling their stories. 

“I am proud of you for coming to the court to tell what really happened,” he said, before turning his attention to Combs telling him: “This is the reality of what happened. You abused them, physically, emotionally and psychologically, and the trauma will last a lifetime.” 

Remorse too little too late 

Earlier Combs had addressed the court saying: “I don’t have nobody to blame but myself. I know that I’ve learned my lesson. My actions were disgusting, shameful, and sick.”

He claimed that he was now taking responsibility for his actions, explaining: “I got lost in excess, I got lost in my ego. I want to apologise to my seven children, they deserved better.”

 Combs then spoke directly to Judge Subramanian saying: “I ask your honour for mercy. I beg your honour for mercy.” Continuing, he told the judge that if he gave him another chance, he wouldn’t let him down and would never jeopardise being in the situation he got himself into ever again. 

Judge having none of it

It fell on deaf ears, as the Judge summed the case up by telling Combs that the coerced commercial sex acts brought him sexual gratification instead of money, and he was not convinced there would not be a repeat of the crimes if he was released.

The Judge did soften slightly when he went on to say that he considered that Combs as a self-made artist who had been charitable and lifted up the black community.

“I know you feel you are in a dark place right now, but the crimes committed were serious. However, you and your family are going to get through this, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”