From 3 Oct 2025Sean 'Diddy' Combs sentenced to over four years in prisonA federal judge sentenced hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs to just over four years in prison. He also required Combs to pay a $500,000 fine.The judge previously said a “substantial sentence” was necessary to send a message to abusers, before sentencing Combs to 50 months in prison.Combs was convicted earlier this year of violating the Mann Act, a law prohibiting the transport of individuals across state lines for illegal sex acts.Key events3 Oct 2025Sean 'Diddy' Combs sentenced to over four years in prison3 Oct 2025Sean 'Diddy' Combs to address the court3 Oct 2025Steel pleads for lighter sentence, highlighting violence in prison3 Oct 2025Combs attorney Brian Steel speaks of mogul's 'untreated trauma' and 'ferocious' addiction3 Oct 2025Summary: Combs' sentencing hearing so far3 Oct 2025Star's children tell court their father is a 'changed man'3 Oct 2025Defense lawyer in tears as she tells court Combs helped and inspired many people3 Oct 2025Prosecutor says Combs' letter to judge shows he casts himself as 'victim in this scenario'3 Oct 2025Prosecutor tells court Combs booked speaking engagements 'for next week'3 Oct 2025Witness expected to address court no longer wishes to speak, prosecutors say3 Oct 2025Combs sentencing hearing begins3 Oct 2025Combs' children arrive at court3 Oct 2025Combs' mother, Janice Combs, arrives3 Oct 2025Cassie Ventura: 'I'm scared if he walks free'3 Oct 2025Combs pleads with judge in letter before sentencing, saying he was ‘reborn’ in jail3 Oct 2025Sean Combs to be sentencedShow key events onlyPlease turn on JavaScript to use this featureEdward HelmoreThe Guardian’s Edward Helmore brings us his report from inside the courthouse:Sean “Diddy” Combs held his head in his hands and appeared to be stunned when a judge handed down a 50-month sentence in a New York courtroom on Friday for prostitution-related offenses.It was a sentence far less than the life term he potentially faced at the start of his sex-trafficking conspiracy trial back in May, but Combs appeared shocked by the outcome. The judgment came just minutes after Combs had pleaded with Judge Arun Subramanian that he took full “accountability and responsibility” for his actions, and stating that he was a changed man who would, if released, devote himself to his family and community."Sean 'Diddy' Combs says sorry to his family during his sentencing hearing after being convicted of transporting prostitutes for drug-fueled sexual performances. (REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg)The sentence down came with barely a noise in the courtroom. Combs’ family members and supporters had been warned by a court clerk to keep any expression of their feelings in check.After the sentence was delivered, Combs appeared surprised to find two court marshals behind him, ready to lead him back to Metropolitan detention center in Brooklyn, where he has been incarcerated since his arrest 13 months ago.Outside the courtroom, there was a palpable sense of deflation as neither prosecutors nor Combs’s defense had got the result they wanted. A trial that had heard graphic accounts of sexual abuse, which the defendant had claimed was consensual, ended in a kind of whimper. The sentence handed down – four years, two months - was 10 months less than a sentencing panel recommended and less than half of the 135 months, or 11 years, prosecutors requested.Read the full story here:Photos coming in from the wires show Combs’ mother, Janice, and his children exiting the courthouse following the sentencing ruling from the judge.Janice Combs, mother of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, outside court. Photograph: John Angelillo/UPI/ShutterstockQuincy Combs and Chance Combs leave court. Photograph: Shannon Stapleton/ReutersA prominent women’s justice organization released a statement following Sean “Diddy” Combs’s sentencing by a federal judge to more than four years in prison.“Today’s sentencing reflects what survivors of sexual violence have long known: Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is a serial sexual predator and abuser who exploited women and men alike,” said Nicole Regalado, vice president of campaigns at UltraViolet.“It’s important to remember that the only reason Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs was held accountable at all was because Cassie and many other brave survivors came forward and shared their harrowing stories,” Regalado said. “These survivors took great personal risk to show the world who the real Diddy is.”The US attorney for the Southern District of New York and the head of the New York office of Homeland Security Investigations thanked the federal judge for what they called his “thoughtful comments specifically crediting the victims and acknowledging their strength and courage for coming forward,” the New York Times reports.Famed attorney Gloria Allred stated outside of the Manhattan federal court that she has clients who are actively suing Sean “Diddy” Combs, alleging he sexually assaulted them.Allred also said she knows of a number of victims who spoke with prosecutors but did not testify during the trial.“Mr. Combs should be in prison for a while,” Allred said.Allred added that a number of her clients, who feared retaliation by Combs, may be calmer now that Combs will spend time in prison.Cassie Ventura’s attorney released a statement following Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sentencing.“While nothing can undo the trauma caused by Combs, the sentence imposed today recognizes the impact of the serious offenses he committed,” Doug Wigdor, Ventura’s attorney said in a statement, according to CNN. “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.”After sentencing Sean “Diddy” Combs, the federal judge addressed Combs’ victims.“I want to speak to the strong women who came forward: Ms. Ventura and Jane, you’ve been through trauma we can’t imagine,” federal judge Arun Subramanian said in court, according to Inner City Press. “I want to say: we heard you.”Sean 'Diddy' Combs sentenced to over four years in prisonA federal judge sentenced hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs to just over four years in prison. He also required Combs to pay a $500,000 fine.The judge previously said a “substantial sentence” was necessary to send a message to abusers, before sentencing Combs to 50 months in prison.Combs was convicted earlier this year of violating the Mann Act, a law prohibiting the transport of individuals across state lines for illegal sex acts.Federal judge Arun Subramanain said he is not convinced that if Sean “Diddy” Combs were released that he would not commit those same crimes.Subramanain says “a substantial sentence” must be given to send a message to abusers, CNN reports.During his address to the court amid Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sentencing, federal judge Arun Subramanian said he considered that Combs may have “inspired and lifted up communities” but that he also abused people.“The court has to consider all your history here,” the federal judge told Sean “Diddy” Combs, according to Inner City Press. “A history of good works can’t wash away the record in this case. You abused these women.”The judge was “sitting right here, during the testimony,” when witnesses and victims testified to Combs’ abusive behavior.After a brief recess, the court is back in session. The judge is now addressing the court.