Articles by Phoebe Tonks,Zara Woodcock

Technology

Trump considers pardon request from Sean 'Diddy' Combs after New York court sentence

US President Donald Trump has revealed that Sean 'Diddy' Combs has approached him for a presidential pardon following the rapper's sentencing at a New York court earlier this month. "'Puff Daddy has asked me for a pardon,' Trump just said in the Oval," journalist Jake Sherman reports Trump as saying inside the White House this evening. When questioned earlier this month about the prospect of pardoning Combs, Trump remarked: "Probably -- hmm. You know, I was very friendly with him. I get along with him great. Seemed like a nice guy. I didn't know him well. But when I ran for office, he was very hostile." The embattled music producer was cleared of the more severe charges of racketeering and sex trafficking in July but was convicted on two counts of transporting former girlfriends for prostitution. The guilty verdict was reached after 13 hours of jury deliberations. As the decision was announced, Diddy was observed dropping to his knees before his chair in prayer, reports the Mirror . The music mogul then faced the public gallery and applauded in front of his children and relatives, who had attended to show their support. Throughout the trial earlier this year, revelations surfaced regarding his private life and 'freak off parties' that featured ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura - who issued a victim impact statement prior to his sentencing. The music mogul was refused bail and has remained behind bars until today's sentencing hearing. Federal prosecutors have contended the fallen star should face more than 11 years imprisonment following his conviction, arguing he shows no remorse. On Thursday, Diddy appealed to the judge through an extensive written statement. He admitted he had 'lost his way and got lost in his journey'. "Lost in the drugs and the excess. My downfall was rooted in my selfishness. I have been humbled and broken to my core. 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 implored Judge Arun Subramanian to permit him to serve as an "example of what a person can do if afforded a second chance". He also declared: "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. In my life, I have made many mistakes, but I am no longer running from them. "I am so sorry for the hurt that I caused, but I understand that the mere words "I'm sorry" will never be good enough as these words alone cannot erase the pain from the past." The rapper claimed he'd had the opportunity to 'look in the mirror like never before' whilst acknowledging the footage showing him attacking Cassie alongside the anguish he inflicted upon former partner, "Jane". He pleaded with the judge: "I ask you for mercy today, not only for my sake, but for the sake of my children." For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters .