news

Diddy's sentence has just been handed down. It's meant to show 'real accountability.'

If you want to support independent women's media, become a Mamamia subscriber. Get an all-access pass to everything we make, including exclusive podcasts, articles, videos and our exercise app, MOVE.

Sean "Diddy" Combs has been sentenced to four years and two months' prison by a New York judge, following the music mogul's trial.

The sentence was handed down three months after Combs was found guilty of two counts of transporting women for prostitution. He was cleared of the most serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.

Now, 55-year-old Combs has learned his fate.

Listen: Why the Diddy verdict didn't feel satisfying. Post continues below.

With the time he's already served behind bars, it's expected Combs will be in prison for around 36 months, or three years.

The sentence was imposed by US District Judge Arun Subramanian, at a hearing in Manhattan federal court.

Subramanian said a substantial sentence was required to "to send a message to abusers and victims alike that exploitation and violence against women is met with real accountability."

The judge addressed Combs directly during much of the sentencing.

"Mr. Combs, you and your family — you are going to get through it," he said. "There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

"But you will have a chance to show your children and the world what real accountability, change and healing can look like."

Watch: Sean Combs sentenced after sex-trafficking trial. Post continues after video.


Video via CNN.
ADVERTISEMENT

Combs was also sentenced to five years of supervised release and a $500,000 fine was imposed against him.

Prosecutors had sought 11 years against Combs, but Subramanian said that sentence was "not reasonable."

The judge addressed the bravery of the victims who stood against Combs, which included the rapper's ex-girlfriend Cassandra (Cassie) Ventura — a star witness in the prosecution's case.

"To Ms. Ventura and the other brave survivors that came forward, I want to say first: We heard you," the judge said.

"I am proud of you for coming to the court to tell the world what really happened."

Cassie Ventura and Sean Combs were together from 2007 to 2018.

ADVERTISEMENT

The sentencing comes days after Ventura delivered a powerful victim impact statement, where she revealed she had moved her family out of New York ahead of the sentencing.

She said she feared retaliation should Combs walk free.

"I am so scared that if he walks free, his first actions will be swift retribution towards me and others who spoke up," Ventura wrote.

"I still have nightmares and flashbacks on a regular, everyday basis, and continue to require psychological care to cope with my past."

Although the verdict is in, the sentence handed down, and justice enacted, Combs' victims will forever have to navigate their trauma.

This sentence does not mark an ending; it is the beginning of a new chapter of fear and recovery.

Consider the words of Cassie Ventura, who uprooted her family for fear of "swift retribution." The fear doesn't disappear with a prison sentence.

In a four-page letter to Subramanian, filed with the court on Thursday, Combs apologised "for all the hurt and pain that I caused others by my conduct," and asked the judge for mercy, saying, "I lost my way."

Subramanian acknowledged that Combs had expressed remorse for some of his conduct but said he had not apologised for the prostitution offences at the heart of the conviction.

Combs pleaded not guilty and is expected to appeal his conviction.

-WITH AAP

Feature image: Getty.

00:00 / ???