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In the murder trial surrounding the death of former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins, new details have emerged about the attack in the maximum security prison HMP Wakefield. Surveillance footage shown in court is said to show the musician shortly after the crime – covered in blood and with visible injuries to his neck. The video is available here.
Watkins, who was serving a 29-year prison sentence for serious sexual offenses against children, was attacked in his cell on October 11 last year. According to the public prosecutor’s office, fellow inmate Rico Gedel is said to have attacked the former rock musician with an improvised weapon the morning after the cells were opened. The prosecution speaks of multiple stab wounds in the head and neck area.
The jury at Leeds Crown Court was told that Gedel entered Watkins’ cell less than 20 minutes after the cells were opened. The actual attack only lasted around 20 seconds. Gedel is then said to have passed the murder weapon on to fellow prisoner Samuel Dodsworth, who, according to the indictment, disposed of it.
In the CCTV images, Watkins appears to be seen holding his hand to his neck and staggering out of the cell. Two repairmen who were doing maintenance work at the prison at the time noticed the injuries and alerted staff. Several officers then rushed to the musician’s cell.
Investigators assume the crime was planned
The public prosecutor describes the crime as planned jointly. Gedel and Dodsworth deny both the murder charge and possession of the homemade stabbing weapon. According to the prosecution, Dodsworth acted as a kind of observer before the attack, while Gedel waited for an opportune moment when no guards were in sight.
Statements about Gedel’s behavior immediately after the crime are particularly incriminating. According to the public prosecutor’s office, he appeared remarkably calm and almost in a good mood. As he was led away by officers and passed the injured Watkins’ cell, he is said to have said: “Sleep well, Watkins.”
According to police, Gedel later explained that he was annoyed by so-called “nonce prisoners” – a British prison term for sex offenders – because they allegedly received preferential treatment. He was also bothered by the fact that sex offenders in Wakefield Prison were not housed separately from other prisoners.
Watkins lost consciousness after the attack and collapsed on his bed. Rescue workers tried to resuscitate him but were unable to save his life. He was declared dead a short time later.
The case is also attracting attention in Great Britain because Watkins was once one of the best-known figures in the British rock scene. The singer of the band Lostprophets was convicted of numerous sexual offenses against minors in 2013. The seriousness of the crimes caused international outrage at the time and abruptly ended his career.
