Lostprophets paedo Ian Watkins 'stabbed to death' in prison attack

Ian Watkins has died in a prison attack. West Yorkshire Police said they were called to the prison on Saturday morning to an assault on a prisoner, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The disgraced former singer of the Welsh rock band Lostprophets, was murdered in jail by another inmate, The Sun reports. Watkins was jailed in December 2013 for a string of child sex offences, including the attempted rape of a baby. He was attacked with a knife by another inmate, PA reported, citing sources. Police said detectives were investigating and enquiries ongoing at the scene.

Watkins was sentenced to 29 years in prison with a further six years on licence, and his two co-defendants, the mothers of children he abused, were jailed for 14 and 17 years. Watkins admitted the attempted rape and sexual assault of a child under 13 but pleaded not guilty to rape. He also admitted conspiring to rape a child, three counts of sexual assault involving children, seven involving taking, making or possessing indecent images of children and one of possessing an extreme pornographic image involving a sex act on an animal. During sentencing, Mr Justice Royce said the case broke "new ground" and "plunged into new depths of depravity".

A Prison Service spokesperson said: "We are aware of an incident at HMP Wakefield which took place this morning.

"We are unable to comment further while the police investigate." A statement from West Yorkshire Police added: "At 9.39am this morning (Saturday), police were called by staff at HMP Wakefield reporting an assault on a prisoner.

"Emergency services attended and the man was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later. Detectives from the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team are investigating and inquiries remain ongoing at the scene."

Watkins was previously stabbed in an incident at the same prison in 2023, suffering non life-threatening injuries after he was reportedly taken hostage by three other inmates before being freed by prison officers six hours later. The motivation for the attack was allegedly jealousy over Watkins giving guitar lessons to other inmates.

Watkins was sentenced in December 2013, after admitting 13 sex offences, including the attempted rape of a fan's baby.

He was initially arrested after a drugs warrant was executed at his home in Pontypridd on September 21, 2012.

During the search, a significant number of computers, mobile phones, and storage devices were seized.
Subsequent analysis of the equipment led to the discovery of his crimes.

As a rock star in his 20s, he sold millions of albums around the world and commanded huge arena crowds.

Formed in 1997, Welsh rock band Lostprophets released five studio albums in total, including a number one album in the UK and two top 10 singles.