• Sean "Diddy" Combs sentenced to four years and two months for prostitution-related charges.
• Prosecutors sought an 11-year sentence while defense called for only 14 months.
• Combs was acquitted of more serious charges related to racketeering and sex trafficking.
• Trial revealed instances of physical and sexual abuse involving Combs' former girlfriends.
• Defense highlighted Combs' role in teaching inmates during his pre-sentencing detention.

Sean "Diddy" Combs was sentenced on October 3 to four years and two months in a federal criminal case tied to his involvement with prostitution and drug-fueled sexual performances, termed "freak-offs." The charges stemmed from Combs' arrangement of paid male escorts to travel across state lines to engage in sexual acts with his girlfriends while he recorded the incidents, according to latimes and channelnewsasia.

During the trial, Combs was convicted on two counts but acquitted of more severe charges such as racketeering and sex trafficking that could have resulted in a life sentence. The jury's decision reflected a division over the nature of the relationships he had with his former partners, leading to calls from prosecutors for an 11-year sentence while the defense contended for a release following a drastically shorter 14-month term due to Combs' time served, according to reuters and sfgate.

In a notable courtroom appearance, Combs expressed remorse for his actions and described his past conduct as "disgusting" and "sick." He acknowledged the burden of his history of domestic violence and how it would affect him for life. "I lost my way," he mentioned, emphasizing the transformative impact of his incarceration during which he became sober for the first time in 25 years, as highlighted by scmp and channelnewsasia.

The prosecution's case heavily relied on testimonies from Combs' former girlfriends, Casandra Ventura and a woman referred to as Jane, who reported instances of coercion, violence, and abuse. They disclosed that threats and the withholding of financial support were used to compel them into participating in the sexually charged performances, as established through video evidence shown during the trial. The defense, however, argued that instances of physical abuse should not overshadow the consensual nature of some sexual encounters, reports reuters and sfgate.

In requesting leniency, defense attorneys emphasized Combs’ efforts to enhance the lives of his fellow inmates, highlighting his educational programs within the detention center, which included a course titled "Free Game with Diddy." The prosecution countered this by arguing that previous instances of violence in Combs’ past should lead to a more stringent sentence, stating that "the defendant should be no exception," according to latimes and scmp.