Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial live updates: Ex-girlfriend 'Jane' returns for cross examination
What to know about the sex trafficking trial
A former girlfriend of Sean "Diddy" Combs, identified by the pseudonym "Jane," returns to the stand after more emotionally wrenching testimony yesterday.
Over the past few days, "Jane" has testified about "hotel nights," graphic sexual encounters that were nearly identical to what Combs' another former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, described on the stand as "freak offs."
Combs faces five criminal counts: one count of racketeering conspiracy; two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has vociferously denied the allegations against him.
This live briefing may include graphic descriptions of sexual violence. For resources on sexual assault, call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline.
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BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Former Kent prostitute says she was a victim of rape and abuse
A former prostitute has opened up on her experience selling sex, detailing how women were often assaulted and raped, and that she was forced to make a "different personality" for herself in order to who is aged in her 20s, said sex workers can be "demonised" by authorities, as she detailed one harrowing account of her being in hospital after being attacked by a was contacted by the charity Streetlight UK, which has expanded its operation across south-east England, and has called for additional funding and resources to support more women in the Home Office has been approached for comment. The exchange of sexual services for money is legal in England, Scotland and it is illegal to partake in solicitation on the streets, pay for sex if someone is forced into it, own or manage a brothel, control a prostitute and the money they earn, and advertise sexual services, like putting cards in a phone activities such as kerb crawling are also illegal. Jane, not her real name, was a prostitute in Kent until a couple of months started selling sex at a property when she was 18 for a short period of time. By the time she was 24 she couldn't work due to her health and decided to go back into says selling sex was an option to earn money."You don't work many hours and you get quite a lot [of money] but it's not worth the risk that is involved," she told BBC South East."People stole from me, assault was not uncommon, rape, attempted rape, all those kind of things - and that's considered lucky."I made a completely different personality for myself in order to cope, so I would just switch off and try to essentially become a different person."When you first get into it there are people that purposely prey on the ones that are new, because you haven't established the red flags that you need to."You just somehow become more savvy in knowing who to avoid and who not to." She was supported by the charity Streetlight UK, a support service for women involved in prostitution, sexual exploitation and says prostitutes are demonized, and when she was treated in hospital after an assault, the staff were not very said: "There was like no support at all, because I didn't want to report it, because of how it occurred basically."I think there needs to be more empathy." Streetlight UK says since it started operating in Medway in March 2023, it has directly supported 244 service recently began operated in East Kent, and 59 women have received support since April last the number supported in Surrey and Sussex has steadily grown from 366 in 2020/21 to 459 in 2024/ executive Helena Croft said there was demand for its services in the community."Homeless charities, mental health, sexual health, they're telling us there's nothing like us and they really need help," she said."They need that support to understand the trauma and impact of prostitution on women." Potential exploitation of victims Ms Croft said the internet has changed prostitution "significantly" because it's become accessible to anyone at any added the government was doing "some good work", but she would like to see more services like hers rolled out across London and the South East.A lot of the organisation's crisis work involves supporting women in financial hardship who've turned to prostitution, but they also work with police and support suspected victims of sex trafficking. In 2024, 1246 people were identified by the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) as being potential victims of sexual exploitation. The NRM, run by the Home Office, is a process in the UK for identifying and supporting victims of modern slavery and human trafficking. Dr Erin Sanders-McDonagh, a senior criminologist at the University of Kent, says many women choose to go into prostitution, and not all of them want to leave the industry. She said: "Single mothers with young children, these are the kinds of people who are suffering the most under austerity, particularly in places like north Kent where there's not a lot of access to high paying jobs."Sex becomes a very reasonable and logical option for women who need to make extra money." 'Exploitation and rape' The National Police Chiefs guidance encourages forces to focus on the vulnerability of street sex workers and prioritise pursuing those who commit exploitation or violence against sex Vajzovic, the NPCC lead for the policing of sex work, says guidance recognises the vulnerability of many sex workers, "particularly those who're involved in selling sex on the street".He added: "Over recent years we have seen really strong recognition to understand the vulnerability of sex workers and focus our enforcement activities on those carrying out that exploitation"."In this context it is about criminal exploitation and rape and to prosecute those types of offences." If you have been affected by the issues raised in this story you can visit the BBC Action Line for support.
BBC News
7 hours ago
- BBC News
Diddy On Trial ‘Jane' questioned about sex drugs and underwear she ordered for ‘hotel nights'
Defence lawyer Teny Geragos continued her cross-examination of 'Jane' with more focus the messages between her and Sean 'Diddy' Combs. 'Jane' is the pseudonym being used to protect the identity of Diddy's ex-partner. She was asked about messages which suggest she was planning 'hotel nights' for her and Diddy, along with other men. Photos were also shown to the jury of 'Jane' and Diddy spending time together. Meanwhile the prosecution has asked for one of the jury members to be dismissed. Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty speaks to NPR music reporter Isabella Gomez-Sarmiento about the day in court. Sean 'Diddy' Combs is on trial in New York, facing federal charges of sex trafficking, racketeering with conspiracy and transportation for prostitution. He denies all the charges. The Diddy on Trial podcast is here to investigate the rumours, confront the theories, and give you the answers that you need. We also want YOU to be part of the conversation. Have you any questions about the case? Heard a theory that doesn't sit right with you? Get in touch now via WhatsApp: 0330 123 555 1. Details of organisations in the UK offering information and support with some of the issues raised are available at Presenter: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Laura Jones Sound Design: Mark Burrows Senior Digital Producer: Matthew Pintus Production Coordinator: Hattie Valentine Editor: Clare Fordham Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Commissioning Assistant Producer: Rechmial Miller
Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Michelin-star chef accused of battering woman calls victim from jail with 'inconsiderate' request
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