A New York judge has sentenced disgraced music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs to four years and two months' prison following his conviction for prostitution-related crimes earlier this year. Judge Arun Subramanian also handed down a fine of $US500,000 ($758,000), and urged Combs to show the world what "real accountability" looks like.
"We all have voices, but you have a megaphone," the judge told Combs.
"I'm counting on you to make the most of your second chance."
Combs, 55, was convicted in July of two offences under the US's "Mann Act", which criminalises transporting people across state lines for sex work.
Just before he was sentenced, he tearfully acknowledged his past behaviour was shameful, disgusting and sick.He offered multiple apologies, including to his former girlfriend, Casandra Ventura (known as the singer Cassie), who he was caught on camera physically attacking in a hotel room.
"I know I'll never put my hands on another person again," Combs told Judge Subramanian. But the judge said a lengthy sentence was necessary to send a message to offenders and victims alike that violence against women would be met with real accountability.
He said Combs's violence, coercion and abuse had devastating consequences on his two former partners and he was unconvinced that Combs would not reoffend.
Combs had arranged for paid sexual encounters between his girlfriends and male sex workers at marathon sex parties he called "freak-offs". Ms Ventura told his eight-week trial that Combs ordered her to have "disgusting" sex with strangers hundreds of times during their decade-long relationship.
The judge said she and another ex-girlfriend, known only by the pseudonym Jane, shared "horrific stories, but stories of courage" during the trial.
"We heard you," he added. "I am proud of you for coming to the court to tell the world what really happened."
After his time in prison, Combs will need to spend another five years under supervised release.
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