Former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins has today been sentenced to thirty five (35) years in prison for the horrific sexual offences he committed against children over the course of several years. The sentence comprises a twenty nine year sentence plus an extended licence of six years. He will have to serve a minimum two thirds of the sentence before any possible parole or early release can be considered. His two female co-defendants were sentenced to 14 years and 17 years respectively. He was told by the judge during sentencing, along with his two co-defendants that “what you did plumbed new depths of depravity”. Mr Watkins was visibly shaking in the court room as the judge, Mr Justice Royce addressed Watkins and one of his co-defendants, telling them that “What you were doing is both sickening and incomprehensible.” in response to the video footage of Watkins attempting to abuse the woman’s baby. He was referred to as a significant risk, both to young women as well as children, and that there was “almost a complete lack of remorse” for his behaviour.
In the clearest evidence yet of what a disgraceful human being Ian Watkins is, the court this morning was told that in a phone call Mr Watkins made from prison after being convicted, he was recorded as saying “It was megalolz, I don’t know what everyone is getting so freaked out about.” He also claimed during a subsequent phone call that “I’m not a paedophile, I’m not. You know I plead (sic) guilty just to avoid a trial, not realising ‘Hang on, that makes me look a bit guilty’ but I would never harm anybody.”.
Mr Watkins defence lawyer Sally O’Neill QC had argued that mitigating circumstances against her client included the fact that he pleaded guilty thus avoiding the expense of a trial and that he was continuously hounded day and night by Lostprophets fans offering themselves to him for sex, often to act out “fantasies of extreme depravity”. It was also reported that Watkins has been on suicide watch with checks taking place every fifteen minutes. The defence further stated that Watkins had become “addicted to a variety of drugs in 2009” and “That’s what resulted in him having no memory of large parts of when he was on tour with the group.”
As has been covered extensively on this website and throughout the British (and worldwide media), Mr Watkins, 36 was accused of over twenty crimes and sex offences against children and one count of possession of animal related pornographic material. After professing his innocence for almost a year after his initial arrest back in December 2012, he changed his plea and confessed to being guilty of thirteen of the charges, including two counts of attempting to rape a baby and conspiring to rape a child under thirteen, as well as numerous charges relating to the possession of child pornography. His two co-defendants are both mothers of children who both assisted Mr Watkins in his despicable acts, including abuse of their own children. His Co-defendants cannot be identified to protect their children and the other victims involved in the case (so please don’t do anything stupid like Tweet about it if you do know anything).
Most recently a former girlfriend of Mr Watkins has appeared in the news and the papers stating that she reported him to four difference police forces on eight separate occasions over a period of four years prior to his eventual arrest last year. There is an official Independent Police Complaints Commission investigation underway relating to the investigations into Mr Watkins over whether he could have been identified and apprehended earlier separate to these claims, and there has been no full comment from the Forces involved at this time.
The five other remaining members of Lostprophets officially disbanded the group in October of this year after the full horror of what had occured came to light (you can read that statement here). After Ian Watkins confession last month the band also issued a further statement where they confirmed they had no knowledge of their former singer’s behaviour, and urged any other affected parties who were not yet known to the authorities to come forward.
Anyone who wants to read the full transcript of today’s sentencing as it unfolded can do so at the Wales Online website on the following link – https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/live-lostprophets-ian-watkins-sentenced-6415935. If you or anyone you know has any further information about this case please contact your local police force.
