We now have a statement on behalf of singer and model Cassie Ventura, Diddy's former girlfriend whose testimony played a key role during the trial.

She filed a civil case against the hip-hop mogul in November 2023, ahead of the criminal charges being filed in September 2024.

This statement in response to Diddy's sentence comes from Douglas Wigdor and Meredith Firetog (Wigdor LLP), who represented Cassie in the civil case, which was settled within 24 hours.

"While nothing can undo the trauma caused by Combs, the sentence imposed today recognises the impact of the serious offences he committed," they say.

"We are confident that with the support of her family and friends, Ms Ventura will continue healing knowing that her bravery and fortitude have been an inspiration to so many."

Before court is adjourned, Judge Arun Subramanian once again addresses Sean "Diddy" Combs, telling him he understands he feels he is "in a dark place".

The rapper and his family will "get through this", he says. "There is a light at the end of the tunnel."

Letters to the court show there is "a universe" of people who love him, the judge continues. "Let them lift you up."

He says it is clear how important Combs is to his children and his mother, and that he now has "a chance for renewal and redemption".

The judge tells him that "being a champion and uplifting black and brown communities" is what he set out to do at the beginning of his career.

"What went wrong can be made right," he says, adding that he is "counting" on Combs to "make the most of that second chance".

As well as the 50-month sentence, Judge Arun Subramanian has also given Diddy a fine of $500,000.

Following the sentence, he says he also wants to address the "strong women who came forward to tell their stories - stories of courage".

The judge says former girlfriends Cassie and "Jane", who testified under a pseudonym, went through "abuse and trauma we couldn't imagine".

Addressing Cassie and "the other brave survivors who came forward", he says. "We heard you... these horrible acts were made public and Sean Combs will never be able to wash them away."

He tells the women: "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."

The judge says they showed the world that violence "doesn't have to stay hidden forever", and thanks them again for their courage.

The judge goes on to say that the defence's proposal of a sentence of no more than 14 months would not be sufficient and does not account for aggravating factors - "the violence, the drugs, coercion".

He says he that weighing all the relevant factors, he sentences Combs to 50 months - which is just over four years.

He says this will be "hard time in prison" away from his family, but he will still "have a life afterwards".

Following a short break, Judge Arun Subramanian is now speaking.

He tells Sean "Diddy" Combs that he is being sentenced for his convictions for transportation for prostitution, and not the sex-trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges he was acquitted of.

However, he says the statute he has to follow requires him to consider the nature of the offences and his history.

The judge says he has considered the fact that Combs is a self-made artist who has "inspired" and "lifted up" communities around the world. He also says he has considered the trauma of his father's murder, as well as his drug addiction, and good work in schools.

The development of a business course while in prison is "impressive", the judge says, adding that he hopes the rapper will continue with this work.

He also says there is "no doubt" that Combs is devoted to his family.

However, he says the court rejects the defence's argument that "freak off" sexual encounters were consensual experiences and that his is just a "sex, drugs and rock'n'roll story".

Combs abused "power and control" with women he professed to love, the judge says - and says the evidence of abuse is "massive".

Judge Subramanian says he was "sitting right here" to hear testimony from Cassie and "Jane".

Combs goes on, telling the court how he has lost his career and destroyed his reputation.

"I have been humbled and broken to my core," he says. "I hate myself right now, I've been stripped down to nothing."

The prosecution's argument that he is has not changed is wrong, he says. "I am truly sorry for it all."

He then goes on to apologise to his seven children, and turns to his family, becoming emotional as he continues speaks directly to his mother, Janice, saying: "You taught me better."

The hip-hop mogul says that as a child, he wanted to be a "shining example" for "people of colour". However, he says he got lost - but is "not a bad person".

Combs sighs deeply before continuing, telling Judge Arun Subramanian that "given a chance, people can change".

As he did in his letter yesterday, he asks the judge for mercy.

"I beg Your Honour for mercy, to be a father again, a son again, and be a leader in my community again". He says he wants to get the help he "desperately" needs.

Once again, he says he has "nobody to blame but myself" and vows to "never pur my hands on another person again".

He concludes by saying he has learned his lesson and that all he needs is his family, adding: "I don't care about the fame or making money."

Looking up at the judge, he thanks him and also gives thanks to jurors who heard the case over eight weeks in the summer. He says he does not take his convictions lightly and takes "full accountability".

He tells the judge: "If you give me a chance, I will not let you down."

Sean "Diddy" Combs starts by thanking the court for giving him the chance to speak.

He says "one of the hardest things" he has faced since his arrest was "having to be quiet" and not being able to "express how sorry I am for my actions".

Combs says he wants to "personally apologise" to his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura - now Cassie Ventura Fine - for "any harm" he caused her "emotionally or physically".

He says he does not take this lightly.

The music mogul also apologises to "Jane", a former girlfriend he dated after Cassie, who testified under a pseudonym in court.

He goes on to say he also wants to "personally apologise" to all victims of domestic violence - and highlights the "disgusting" video that showed him attacking Cassie in a hotel in LA in 2016.

This will always be a "heavy burden" that he will forever carry, he says - and describes his actions as "disgusting, shameful and sick".

Combs says he was "sick from drugs" and "out of control", that he got "lost in my excess and lost in my ego".

After submitting a letter to Judge Arun Subramanian pleading for leniency, Sean "Diddy" Combs is now about to address the court in person for the first time.

This is because he chose not to give evidence during his trial - his letter, filed yesterday, was his first indication of any remorse for "all of the hurt and pain".

The music mogul has been in jail at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn since his arrest in September 2024.

"Mr Combs, take your time," says the judge. "Whenever you are ready to speak."

As he stands in court now, this is his final bid to avoid several more years behind bars.

After defence attorney Marc Agnifilo finishes speaking, prosecutor Christy Slavik gives her rebuttal.

"He is not a changed man now, you cannot trust his words," she argues. "Behind closed doors, he wasn't helping others, he was exploiting and abusing them."

She says the court has already received letters from several victims in the run-up to sentencing and urges the judge to take these into account.

There is a short break now and Sean "Diddy" Combs is expected to speak next.

Now it is the turn of Marc Agnifilo, another defence lawyer on Diddy's team, to speak.

He says he wants to provide the reasons behind their request for a 14-month sentence - which after time served would see the music star released almost immediately.

He acknowledges the request is "a lot" but once again raises the issue of past traumas in Combs's life.

The defence lawyer says the rapper has long suffered from mental health challenges that he's now willing to address.

"Sean Combs has genuine psychological challenges," Agnifilo says, citing the murder of his father when he was just a child. In "2014, 2017, 2020 he reported to three different doctors and he had PTSD", he says.

Agnifilo says Combs has already been punished "in one of the most public ways I can think of" in his 35 years in the legal profession.

"The raids on his home, children held at gunpoint, that is punishment. This happened on a grand public stage... I don't think he needs any more punishment."

Giovanni Sairras, executive director at Miami-based non-profit organisation RE Entry One Inc, submitted a letter to the court earlier this week - and it was this that highlighted the planned engagements mentioned in the previous post.

Sairras is now given the opportunity to speak in court himself.

He describes their programme as services for those who have spent time in prison, and says Sean "Diddy" Combs's impact has been "so great" and "changed the lives of those who is housed with".

He goes on to highlight the business programme Diddy's lawyers have spoken about already today, set up by the hip-hop mogul to help some of his fellow inmates.

"What Sean Combs is doing has reignited a spark in me to start doing more," he says. "He has shown he is an asset and will ultimately become an asset to the government because the programmes he is teaching bring about reform.

"Those who are closest to the problem are closest to the solution."

Defence attorney Xavier Donaldson now goes on to address the "speaking engagements" planned for later in October - showing an apparent assumption from Diddy that he will be quickly released - which were brought up by the prosecution earlier (see 17.25pm post).

He says prosecutors mischaracterised these and that they are in fact community-enriching "teaching" opportunities.

"They aren't speaking engagements," Donaldson says. Contrary to the prosecution's presentation of the the events as "hubris", he says that "we do need something for [Combs] to do if he gets out today".

Donaldson poses the question of how the court would know Combs "is not going to take advantage of society", and says: "He would answer the question with teaching engagements - to help people who have been convicted."

He says the dates mentioned earlier in court, planned for as early as next week, were set up on the basis they would take place only in the event of Combs's immediate release.

Another defence lawyer, Xavier Donaldson, is now speaking.

He says Diddy does not deserve a harsh penalty along the lines of a convicted "pimp".

"The government equates Sean Combs with a pimp. I want to be clear, Mr Combs is not a pimp," Donaldson tells the court.

"A pimp is in the business of subjugating women, therefore he should not and cannot be considered a pimp."

He is saying this following earlier argument from the prosecution, which presented details of other cases it says are similar.

Sean "Diddy" Combs's family pastor in Miami, the Rev Gary Johnson, now gives a brief address.

He says he was asked to speak by the family and that his heart is in "turmoil".

Combs "wants to be a part of change", he says, and appeals to the judge: "We are asking you to free him from this incarceration. You will free his mind, if you allow him to have probation."

He continues: "As Michael Jordan said, these sneakers are just sneakers - but when Sean does things he turns them into opportunities.

"Sean needs an opportunity. I am asking you to give him to us and we won’t let you down."

Defence attorney Brian Steel goes back to Cassie, saying her relationship with Sean Combs was consensual.

As the defence has already done previously, he urges the judge to sentence based on the charges Diddy was convicted of, not taking into account the more serious charges he was acquitted of.

He says Combs "needs treatment" and when released would like to go to Miami, Florida, to be near his mother. Doctors here have told him they can help with therapy, Steel says.

He finishes by describing Combs as a "civil rights leader" but says he is "crying out for help".

However, he adds that the "good outweighs the bad by far".