Sean 'Diddy' Combs will face trial for sex-trafficking charges on 5 May a New York judge ruled today.

During a hearing in Manhattan earlier on Thursday, rap mogul Combs, 54, faced Judge Arun Subramanian for the first time.

He'll be answering charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage prostitution.

TMZ reports that federal prosecutors have warned their investigation is ongoing and could throw up more charges against the billionaire.

The Bad Boy Records founder has pleaded not guilty, and was today joined in court by his mother Janice and his children.

Combs was arrested on 16 September and has been held at Metropolitan Detention Center on a no-bail order ever since.

On Tuesday his legal team made a third failed bid to get their client out on bail, with Judge Subramanian stating he will remain behind bars.

The court date comes less than two weeks after prominent Houston attorney Tony Buzbee announced he was representing more than 120 clients with claims against Combs and his associates.

LATEST NEWS