Warning: This article contains discussion of domestic violence which some readers may find distressing
Diddy has made a chilling admission about his ex-partner Cassie Ventura in a letter to the judge ahead of his sentencing.
Once famed for producing some of the biggest artists in the music game - including Usher, Mary J. Blige and the Notorious B.I.G. - Sean 'Diddy' Combs has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons since his September 2024 arrest.
The former rapper was arrested last September for sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, racketeering and transportation for prostitution purposes last September.
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He was also accused of hosting wild, drug-fueled parties - famously known as 'freak offs' - where women were allegedly pressured into having sex, and sometimes recorded without their permission, while Diddy and others are said to have watched on.
Following an eight-week trial this summer, he was acquitted of the most serious crimes, but found guilty of two charges of transportation to engage in prostitution.
Diddy could face up to 20 years in prison and today (Friday, October 3), he will learn his fate when Judge Arun Subramanian sentences him.
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Less than 24 hours before the hearing, Diddy filed a letter to the judge begging for leniency.
In it, he admitted he 'literally lost my mind' while staying in prison.
Diddy laments that 'I’m sorry' will 'never be good enough', reflecting that words 'cannot erase the pain from the past'.
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On spending the last 13 months behind bars, he claims 'the scene and images of me assaulting Cassie play over and over in my head daily,' adding: "I literally lost my mind."
The music mogul is referring to CCTV footage of him physically abusing his former partner, Ventura, in 2016. The disturbing footage, from inside a hotel, went viral when it was released in May.
It saw Ventura walking to some elevators and Combs running after her, wearing only a towel wrapped around his waist.
The rapper can be seen grabbing Ventura by the neck and throwing her to the floor, before kicking her twice and dragging her by her sweatshirt towards one of the hotel's rooms.
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Combs then walks away, but then returns to throw an object at Ventura before walking away again.
The pair had an on-off relationship for 11 years. Ventura is 18 years his junior, and they began dating when she was 19 and Diddy was 37.
On 16 November, Ventura filed a lawsuit in the Federal District Court in Manhattan alleging that Combs 'frequently beat' her during their relationship.
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Ventura's lawsuit claimed Combs was a 'serial domestic abuser, who would regularly beat and kick Ms Ventura, leaving black eyes, bruises, and blood'.
A day later, Combs and Ventura announced they'd settled. Both parties spoke out to say they'd resolved the claims to a 'mutual satisfaction'.
Combs 'vehemently denie[d]' the allegations, with his lawyer telling UNILAD at the time: "Ms. Ventura has [...] resorted to filing a lawsuit riddled with baseless and outrageous lies, aiming to tarnish Mr. Combs' reputation and seeking a pay day."
If you are experiencing domestic violence, please know that you are not alone. You can talk in confidence 24 hours a day to the national domestic violence helpline on 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) 24/7. You can find a list of local resources here.
Topics: Diddy, Cassie Ventura, Domestic Abuse, US News, Court
Ellie Kemp