Warning: This article contains discussion of domestic violence which some readers may find distressing
The trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs continued in New York last night (20 May), with a male escort testifying in court to allege the details of the rapper's infamous 'freak-off' parties.
The 55-year-old is facing charges of sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy, which could land him behind bars for life if he is found guilty on all charges.
Diddy's ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura has been a key witness in the trial so far, with the American singer making an emotional testimony where she explained what was happening in images of the record executive's freak-offs.
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Yesterday, her mother took to the stand and revealed that she took photos of the bruises Cassie got after allegedly being beaten by Diddy.
This follows claims from singer Dawn Richard's testimony, where she alleged that the music producer was regularly violent towards his former partner.
However, the most notable person that took to the stand during Tuesday's proceedings was a man named Sharay Hayes, better known as 'The Punisher', a male escort who testified about his involvement in the freak-offs.
He admitted that he was hired to make 'sexy, erotic scenes' with Cassie while a naked man stood in the corner and watched.
But he would also note that he had no idea that this naked man was Diddy, only realising while waiting for him in a hotel suite and seeing his name on the TV screen.
Hayes recalled that he met Diddy and Cassie at a Trump International Hotel and Tower in New York, and that he was there to perform a striptease.
He claimed that Cassie explained that they wanted to 'create a sexy scene', even though he was expecting to give an exotic dance, before she handed him $800 and he went on to meet them again eight to 12 times.
The escort noted that Cassie was in a wig, and he also didn't recognise her, as he recalled: “I was specifically told to not acknowledge her husband, try not to look at him, no communication or anything.”
After being a part of freak-offs several more times, he alleged: "Further along the line, I saw his face. He would wear a baseball cap and I noticed his face. Ironically, I am a fan and follow him on Instagram.”
Hayes admitted that he would often meet them with just a few hours notice from Cassie, at times as late as 2.30am, staying until 11am.
When asked if he thought Cassie enjoyed being watched by Diddy during these acts, Hayes said: “My understanding was we were creating a scene, a sexy scene, that was enjoyable to her partner.”
He alleged that Diddy would give Cassie instructions while she had sex with him, and noted that he would see 'a sigh' or 'a wince' from her towards these directions at times.
Hayes added that he never saw the singer refuse any of his directions.
The exotic dancer added that as someone who has been in the industry since 1995 with ample experience, he 'did not get any cues that there was a discomfort with what was going on' when it came to Cassie.
"It seemed like it was consensual as far as I was concerned," he alleged.
While Cassie previously alleged that the couple would take drugs during their freak-offs, Hayes claimed that Diddy never appeared intoxicated and never saw him take any drugs.
Hayes further added that he never saw the record executive filming or harming Cassie.
The escort alleged that he felt a 'lot of pressure' during these sexual acts, though he last saw them in 2016 when he failed to perform, resulting in never calling them back.
This comes following Cassie's testimony where she claimed that Diddy would film the freak-offs, while her mother alleged that he wanted $20,000 or he would release the explicit videos of Cassie.
Shocking CCTV footage from 2016 was also shown to the jury, which showed Diddy attacking Cassie in a hotel lobby.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, please know that you are not alone. You can talk in confidence to the national domestic violence helpline Refuge on 0808 2000 247, available 24/7, or via live chat, available 10am-10pm, Monday to Friday.
Joshua Nair