P Diddy 'abused women for years in sordid empire of sex shows called Freak Offs'

An indictment filed in New York against hip hop superstar Sean Combs has accused the star of years of physical and sexual abuse against women and men, alleging that he engaged in sex trafficking and bribery

Sean “Diddy” Combs hit and abused women for more than a decade and presided over a sordid empire of sexual “freak offs”, a criminal indictment has claimed.

The hip hop mogul “engaged in a persistent and pervasive pattern of abuse toward women and other individuals”, according to the document that was unsealed yesterday. The indictment details allegations dating to 2008 that he abused, coerced and threatened women for years “to fulfil his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct”.

He is accused of enticing female victims and male sex workers into drugged-up, sometimes days-long sexual performances dubbed “freak offs”, with Combs and victims often receiving IV fluids to recover.

Combs, 54, was arrested on Monday in a Manhattan hotel, six months after federal authorities raided his homes in Los Angeles and Miami. Over the past year, he has been sued by several people who claim physical or sexual abuse, including his former girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie.

He has denied many of the allegations, and yesterday pleaded not guilty to federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges. His lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, said outside the New York courthouse that he would “fight like hell” to get his client released from custody.

The indictment describes Combs as the head of a criminal enterprise that engaged or attempted to engage in sex trafficking, forced labour, interstate transportation for the purposes of prostitution, drug offences, kidnapping, arson and bribery. He is accused of striking, punching and dragging women, throwing objects and kicking them – and enlisting staff to help hide it all.

Combs and his associates wielded his power and prestige to intimidate, threaten, and lure women, “often under the pretence of a romantic relationship”, the indictment stated.

He sometimes arranged to fly in women and ensured their participation by procuring drugs, controlling their careers, leveraging financial support, and using violence, according to the indictment.

During the search of his homes, law officers seized firearms, drugs and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant, it is claimed.

Combs allegedly used videos of some victims engaging in sex acts to ensure silence.

His 10-bedroom LA home was listed for sale yesterday for $61.5million (£46.6m).