Police missed a string of opportunities over four years to stop Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins from committing depraved sex attacks on children and babies, a watchdog has concluded. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) found that six people came forward with allegations against Watkins before he was arrested and jailed for 35 years.
On one occasion, a simple check of a mobile phone belonging to an ex-girlfriend who complained about him would have revealed a message spelling out his interest in sex with children, the IPCC said. The report made clear that Watkins believed himself above the law, once boasting he had the same lawyers as Madonna and Puff Daddy who would 'rip you apart'.
IPCC investigators found that a detective pointed out that any police action against Watkins would attract 'huge publicity'. The same officer appeared sceptical about an allegation that surfaced just as Lostprophets had released a new album and been booked for high-profile festivals. Following another allegation, the officer reported that 'due to his fame' Watkins had had 'a number of fans and ex-girlfriends making allegations that when investigated are false'.
The report, published on Friday, recommended that South Wales police's safeguarding procedures be amended to give 'specific consideration' to suspects who may pose 'additional risk by virtue of their profile, which may be elevated due to their profession, wealth, celebrity or good standing in the community'. It concluded that the force's failings meant a predatory paedophile offended over an extended period, and that officers did not carry out even rudimentary investigation, made errors and omissions, and missed opportunities to bring him to justice earlier.
IPCC commissioner for Wales Jan Williams said the investigation raised 'the most disturbing concerns' about how reports of Watkins's child abuse were handled between 2008 and 2012. The children's charity NSPCC described the conclusions as damning, stating: 'That a simple unchecked mobile phone could have helped to prevent further abuse by Watkins is unthinkable, and is just one cause for significant concern among this catalogue of basic failures.'
Watkins's ex-girlfriend Joanne Mjadzelics reported in December 2008 that he had given a child cocaine and touched the youngster inappropriately, but no officer visited the alleged victim or her parents. Over the next four years, numerous complaints and intelligence reports about Watkins's alleged drug use and sexual interest in children were submitted to South Wales police and other forces, but were not properly acted upon.
