P Diddy hit with €2.5m compensation payout

Sean P Diddy Combs has been ordered to pay €2.5m to a man who was injured by the rap mogul’s bodyguards at a concert seven years ago.

Cedrick Bobby Lemon said he was beaten by two bodyguards hired by Combs to protect his protege, R&B star Mary J Blige, at an arena in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Judge William Wood ordered that Combs pay because Combs failed to answer the allegations in Lemon’s lawsuit within the 30-day time limit proscribed by state law.

Judge Wood said that once the lawsuit was filed, Combs had time to answer the accusation, either in writing or by appearing in person at a court hearing, or by having someone answer for him at the hearing.

Lemon claimed in his action that on the night in question, he was working at the Joel Coliseum as a limousine driver, and was wearing an ID that permitted him to stand backstage.

After Blige performed, she returned to her dressing room. The bodyguards left Blige’s dressing room and tried to clear the back stage to allow the singer to leave the coliseum.

The guards allegedly punched Lemon in the head. Lemon stumbled and grabbed one of the guards, and both men fell to the floor.

At that point, the guards allegedly kicked Lemon in the back as he tried to shield his head with his hands and arms.

After the judge ordered the compensation, Nathalie Moar, a spokeswoman for Combs, said: “We have just learned of this lawsuit. We intend to take all necessary steps to have it dismissed.”