Musician and producer Sean Combs, who was accused of sexual abuse, solicitation of prostitution and other offenses he allegedly committed against two of his former partners, was convicted of some of the charges brought against him - but was acquitted of major charges, including extortion and sex trafficking. As a result, Combs' sentence -  which could have been life imprisonment - could be up to ten years in prison for each of the two offenses for which he was convicted

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Producer and musician Sean"P Diddy" Combs was convicted today (Wednesday) of two counts of transporting a person for the purpose of engaging in prostitution - but was acquitted of other major charges, including human trafficking for sex purposes and extortion by threats.

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Sean "Diddy" Combs (Photo: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Combs was convicted of kidnapping two of his ex-partners for prostitution. Each of these offenses could cost him ten years in prison - but the more serious offenses, of which he was acquitted, could have sent him to an additional 15 years in prison and a total of life imprisonment. For him, then, this is a victory of sorts. Combs' sentence will be given at a later stage.

After the verdict was read, Combs' attorney asked the Manhattan court to release him on bail."This is his first conviction and it's a prostitution offense, so he should be released on appropriate conditions," the attorney explained.

The prosecution in the trial, which has been ongoing for the past few weeks, alleged that Combs used his influence and money to abuse two of his former partners, singer Cassie Ventura and another woman who identified herself by the pseudonym"Jane." The abuse, according to the prosecution, took place in the context of wild sex parties, known as Freak-Offs, which sometimes lasted for days on end - in which the women were forced to participate in orgies with various sex workers, sometimes with Combs filming their actions.

Ventura, who had an 11-year relationship with Combs, testified at the trial and alleged severe violence on his part - things that were also supported by various testimonies during the trial and hotel security camera footage from 2016, in which Combs is seen hitting Ventura and kicking her while she was on the floor.

Sean Combs and Cassie (Photo: AP)

When she was 22, Ventura told the trial, Combs pushed her to attend his wild and infamous Freak Off parties. She said Combs made her sleep with sex workers while he watched and masturbated, and because she loved him and wanted to please him, she agreed.

Their relationship later turned abusive. She said Combs would"drop me, drag me, kick me, stomp on my head when I was on the floor." Cassie told the prosecution that Combs was often violent, causing her multiple injuries. She also said she was subjected to daily psychological abuse, and claimed that Combs wanted complete control over every aspect of her life and career - demanding that she give up various professional opportunities, and controlling her physical appearance and behavior.

A security guard and a sex worker who Combs hired to sleep with Cassie also testified at the trial - and said that Combs used to abuse her violently. The sex worker, Daniel Phillip, testified that he was exposed to severe violence from Combs. According to Phillip, he was paid between $700 and $6,000 on several occasions to have sex with Ventura, while Combs watched and masturbated - which happened several times over two years. Phillip said that on more than one occasion he saw Combs physically abuse Ventura. Once he saw him throw a glass bottle at her, hit her and drag her by her hair to another room:"She screamed. It sounded like he was slapping her. She screamed: 'I'm sorry! I'm sorry!' And he said to her: 'Bitch, when I tell you to come, you come now.'"

Ventura's mother also testified at Combs' trial, saying Combs demanded $10,000 from her and threatened to release sex tapes of her daughter after he expressed anger that she was dating another man. During the testimony, the jury was shown photos of bruises on Cassie's body, which the witness said were taken when she visited the house for Christmas in 2011.

Combs was arrested in New York in December 2024, several months after a high-profile raid on his homes in Los Angeles and Miami, and has been in custody ever since.