A prisoner accused of murdering disgraced former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins told guards they 'could be talking to someone famous' after stabbing him in the head and neck with a homemade knife, a court has heard. Rico Gedel, 25, carried out the attack on Watkins, who was serving a 29-year sentence for child sexual offences, in his cell at HMP Wakefield on 11 October, Leeds Crown Court was told.
Gedel then handed the makeshift weapon to fellow prisoner Samuel Dodsworth, 44, who disposed of it, prosecutor Tom Storey KC told the jury at the opening of the prisoners' murder trial. The attack lasted about 20 seconds, with Dodsworth acting as a lookout. When asked after the attack whom he thought was responsible, Gedel said: 'God.'
In the moments before his death, when officers trying to save his life asked who had attacked him, Watkins 'said something to the effect of 'that little black fella'', Storey said. Watkins was a 'particularly notorious and high-profile' prisoner who had received threats from other inmates, including on the day before he was killed.
Gedel, whom prison officers described as 'perky' when detained after the attack, allegedly said 'have a good night's sleep Watkins lad' when taken past the cell where the former singer was receiving medical treatment. He told police he was jealous of 'nonce prisoners' because they 'got treated like royalty' and thought it was disgusting to share a wing with sex offenders at HMP Wakefield, often labelled 'monster mansion'.
Though the stabbing was carried out by one man, prosecutors say the attack was 'a joint offence' between the two defendants. Gedel and Dodsworth deny murder and possession of a makeshift knife in prison. The trial continues.
