BREAKING: Diddy sentenced to 50 months in prison

Sean "Diddy" Combs has been sentenced to 50 months, or just over four years, in prison after being found guilty in July of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Prosecutors had sought a sentence of at least 135 months, or just over 11 years, in prison, which Judge Arun Subramanian called "not reasonable." He also said the defense's request for no more than 14 months, which represents time served, was not sufficient. That time served will be deducted from the full sentence.

Inner City Press reports further that "The Court imposes a fine of $500,000, including to defray the costs of imprisonment. There is no restitution, but there is forfeiture as reflected in the order. There is a $5000 fine under the statute, and special assessment, $200."

During the sentencing hearing, Combs, who did not testify during his trial, took to the stand. He told the judge, "I want to thank you for giving me the chance to finally speak up for myself. One of the hardest things I’ve had to handle is having to be quiet, not being able to express how sorry I am for my actions."

He apologized to former girlfriends Cassie Ventura and Jane, calling his conduct "disgusting, shameful and sick." He added, "I’m not this larger-than-life person. I’m just a human being."

"I ask your honor for mercy; I beg your honor for mercy. ask your honor for a chance to be a father again. I ask your honor for a chance to be a son again. I ask your honor for a chance to be a leader in my community again."

In the four-page letter, sent on Thursday, Combs wrote that he wanted to "apologize and say how sincerely sorry I am for all of the hurt and pain that I have caused others by my conduct. I take full responsibility and accountability for my past wrongs. This has been the hardest 2 years of my life, and I have no one to blame for my current reality and situation but myself."

He said that the past months in jail have forced him to "look in the mirror like never before," adding that "My pain became my teacher. My sadness was my motivator. I have to admit, my downfall was rooted in my selfishness. The scene and images of me assaulting Cassie play over and over in my head daily. I literally lost my mind. I was dead wrong for putting my hands on the woman that I loved. I'm sorry for that and always will be."

In a victim impact statement, Cassie Ventura wrote, "My worries that Sean Combs or his associates will come after me and my family is my reality. I have in fact moved my family out of the New York area and am keeping as private and quiet as I possibly can because I am so scared that if he walks free, his first actions will be swift retribution towards me and others who spoke up about his abuse at trial."

Combs continued, "I lost my way. I got lost in my journey. Lost in the drugs and the excess. My downfall was rooted in my selfishness. I have been humbled and broken to my core. Jail is designed to break you mentally, physically and spiritually. Over the past year there have been so many times that I wanted to give up. There have been some days I thought I would be better off dead. The old me died in jail and a new version of me was reborn. Prison will change you or kill you—I choose to live."

He said that his time in jail has been spent reading, writing, working out, or in therapy to obtain "the tools and knowledge to deal with my past drug abuse and anger issues. I have been putting in the work and working diligently to become the best version of myself to ensure that I never make the same mistakes again." He also wrote that he has become sober "for the first time in 25 years."

He asked the judge for "mercy today, not only for my sake but for the sake of my children." Combs has seven children. He also noted that for four of these children, born to mother Kim Porter, he is their only living parent.

"I have failed my children as a father. My father was murdered when I was 3 years old so I know first-hand what it is to not have a father. More than anything, I just want the opportunity to return home and be the father that they need and deserve."

"Today, I humbly ask you for another chance—another chance to be a better father, another chance to be a better son, another chance to be a better leader in my community, and another chance to live a better life. I am writing this not to gain any sympathy or pity, this experience is simply the truth of my existence and has changed my life forever and I will never commit a crime again."