P Diddy's response as his six children attend sex trafficking trial

Sean 'Diddy' Combs made his feelings clear after spotting his children and supporters in the public gallery of a New York City courthouse for the first day of his trial

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Sean 'Diddy' Combs responded after spotting his children sitting in the gallery of a New York City courthouse. The disgraced music mogul's trial, which has been dubbed America's celebrity trial of the century, got underway in the eastern city as prosecutors attempt to prove that he turned his career and fame into a racketeering enterprise.

Diddy's family, including the mother of his six children, attended the court hearing on day one. Testimonies are set to take place today after lawyers delivered their opening statements. Appearing in the dock, Diddy, 55, wore a white sweater and, with his formerly jet-black hair now almost completely grey, entered the courtroom shortly before 9 a.m., hugging lawyers, before he turned and responded to those supporting him, giving a thumbs up to supporters seated in wooden court benches behind him.

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Prior to the hearing starting, a line to get into the courthouse stretched all the way down the block. Combs' mother and some of his children were escorted past the crowd and brought straight into the building.

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Combs, who strongly denies all allegations against him has has pleaded not guilty to charges including one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.

U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian is presiding over the case, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey is the lead prosecutor. Marc Agnifilo is representing Diddy throughout the trial. The first witness for the case is set to testify following an hour-long lunch break.

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Among those expected to testify are Diddy's ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura and a security guard at a Los Angeles hotel where Diddy was seen assaulting Cassie in 2016. The jury, made up of 12 men and six women, has also been selected. The case will open after the judge explains the law as it relates to the trial, as well as incidentals, including a breakfast which will be provided to them.

"Anything you've seen or heard outside the courtroom is not evidence," the judge told the jurors, who have been granted anonymity. "It must be disregarded." Last week, Diddy's defence team had requested a delay of selection until today following concerns that members of the jury may drop out if they had been chosen on Friday.

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The rapper believes the jury will clear him of the damning allegations made agaist him, with the 12 people on the jury set to hear shocking evidence that could potentially put the star away for life. Federal prosecutors in New York alleged Combs "abused, threatened and coerced women" into long, drug-fuelled orgies with male prostitutes he called "freak offs" and even threatened them into silence.

The indictment against him stated: "After Freak Offs, Combs and the victims typically received IV fluids to recover from the physical exertion and drug use." Meanwhile, his defence attorneys, including Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos, has claimed his sexual encounters have all been consensual and said the rapper is a swinger who sometimes invited people into his bedroom.

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The hearing is expected to show recordings of alleged Freak Offs, which Combs has argued were consensual.

* If you've been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999

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