Ian Watkins, the former lead singer of Lostprophets, has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for a series of child sex offences, including the attempted rape of a baby. The 35-year-old musician pleaded guilty to 13 charges spanning five years, which also involved two female fans who were mothers of children he abused.
Sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court, Mr Justice Royce described the case as breaking new ground in its horror. He told Watkins: 'You achieved fame and success as the lead singer of Lostprophets. You had many fawning fans. That gave you power. You knew you could use that power to induce young female fans to help satisfy your insatiable lust and take part in the sexual abuse of their own children.'
The court heard that Watkins continued his crimes because lost evidence allowed him to evade detection. Detectives revealed they believed there were more victims and were liaising with forces across Britain, Interpol, and US homeland security. South Wales police have already travelled to the US and Germany, where the band toured extensively, to investigate further offences.
Watkins, who has been on suicide watch, showed no emotion as he was led from the dock. The sentence was greeted with shouts of 'yes' from the public gallery. The two women involved were sentenced to 14 and 17 years respectively.
In mitigation, Watkins's barrister said his client's life had unravelled due to the pressures of fame and drug addiction. She described his 'mega lolz' comments from prison as bravado, adding that he had belatedly realised the gravity of his actions. Police and child abuse organisations have urged other victims to come forward.
