Pop star says Diddy threatened to kill her if she spoke about violence

A former pop star has told a court Sean "Diddy" Combs was "frequently" violent with his ex-partner Cassie Ventura, and that he threatened her life if she spoke out about it.

Dawn Richard told the jury in Manhattan federal court that Combs made the threat after she allegedly witnessed him trying to hit Cassie with an egg skillet. She said the Bad Boy Records founder told her and another woman who saw the alleged attack that "we could go missing" if they revealed details of what they saw.

Richard, who was a former member of girl group Danity Kane and electric soul trio Dirty Money, said Combs would "punch [Cassie], choke her, slap her in the mouth, kick her, and punch her in the stomach". She said of the beatings: "When [Cassie] had these moments of trying to stick up for herself, [Combs] would hurt her for it." Richard also said one alleged incident took place in a West Hollywood restaurant with celebrities including Usher, Big Daddy Kane, Jimmy Iovine and Ne-yo also present.

Combs, 55, 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. He denies the allegations against him.

Beginning her evidence on Friday, Richard told the jury Combs would store his drugs in a Louis Vuitton pouch and said she often" saw him use "Ketamine, cocaine, molly [also known as Ecstasy]". Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial: Day 6 - As it happened During cross-examination it was suggested her story had changed over time, but Richard said she was doing her best to recall "traumatic" events from more than a decade ago.

She admitted she had contacted Diddy after parting ways with his management and agreed that, despite being "scared" of him, she asked to come back to work for him. Defence lawyer Nicole Westmoreland suggested Richard was testifying because she was angry that Combs had ended Danity Kane and Diddy - Dirty Money.

Ms Westmoreland asked: "You felt that Mr Combs ruined your career not once but twice?" "Yes," Richard replied. Following Richard's stint in the stand, Cassie's ex-best friend Kerry Morgan gave evidence.

Morgan and Cassie had been friends for more than 17 years after meeting as young models. 'I was dizzy, I vomited' Morgan, who said Combs was prone to "mood swings" and could be "very aggressive.