LOCKED UP

Sean “Diddy” Combs has been handed a 50-month prison sentence in a New York court on Friday after being found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution in July.

The 55-year-old rap mogul's 13 months that he has already spent in custody will count towards his four years in jail, meaning that he has three more years in prison still to serve.

Judge Arun Subramanian told the disgraced rapper that it will be "hard time in prison" away from his family but that he will still "have a life afterwards".

Diddy has also been fined $500 000 (R8.62m) and the judge paid tribute to the star's former partner Cassie Ventura and "the other brave survivors who came forward".

He said: "We heard you... these horrible acts were made public and Sean Combs will never be able to wash them away.

"I can only say your families are proud of you and your children will be proud of you... You weren't just talking to the jury you were talking to the women who feel powerless - you gave them a voice, you stood up to power, it's not easy."

The judge also told Diddy that there is "light at the end of the tunnel" for both him and his family, even though he acknowledged that the “Can't Nobody Hold Me Down” hitmaker was in a "dark place" at the moment.

Diddy had described his behaviour as "disgusting, shameful and sick" as he addressed the court before being handed his jail sentence.

He said: "I was sick, sick from the drugs. I was out of control, I needed help and I didn't get the help and I cannot make no excuse because my mother taught me."

Turning to his mother Janice in the gallery, Diddy said: "I failed you as a son, and I’m sorry."

There was however backlash as the prosecutors revealed that the Bad Boy for Life star had been booked for speaking engagements this coming week in Miami. 

Prosecutor Mary Slavick told Judge Subramanian that the Bad Boy Records founder “doesn’t fully grapple with how his actions got him here.”

She added: “His respect for the law is just lip service." 

That set off Diddy's nemesis 50 Cent, who trolled the bandiet, taking to social media to post: “Hey to whoever was booking Diddy for speaking engagement. I heard he won’t be able to make it. “I’m available!.”