Ian Watkins, the former lead singer of the Lostprophets, has died following a prison attack. The 48-year-old musician was assaulted at HMP Wakefield in West Yorkshire, where he was serving a 29-year sentence for serious sexual offences against minors and infants.
Details of the Attack
Watkins was attacked with a knife on Saturday morning. Authorities confirmed that he was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after the assault. West Yorkshire Police have initiated an investigation through their homicide and major inquiry team.
Previous Incidents
This was not Watkins’ first violent incident in prison. In 2023, he sustained non-life-threatening injuries when he was reportedly taken hostage by three inmates. He was rescued six hours later by prison officers.
Background and Criminal History
Watkins was sentenced in December 2013 after admitting to 13 sexual offences, which included the attempted rape of a fan’s infant. His crimes included:
- Encouraging a fan to abuse her child during a webcam chat.
- Secretly storing child pornography, some of which he recorded himself.
Police at the time described him as a “committed, organized paedophile.” He was arrested in September 2012 when authorities searched his home in Pontypridd under a drug warrant, leading to the seizure of numerous digital devices.
Sentence and Prison Life
During his sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court, Watkins received an extended sentence of 29 years, along with an additional six years on license. The judge remarked that his crimes “plumbed new depths of depravity.” In a court appearance in 2019, Watkins remarked on the severity of the criminals he was incarcerated with, stating, “I’m locked up with murderers, mass murderers, rapists, paedophiles, serial killers – the worst of the worst.”
The Prison Service has refrained from commenting while the investigation is ongoing. Watkins’ death marks a significant chapter in the story of a man whose descent into criminality shocked many fans and the public alike.
