Lostprophets paedophile Ian Watkins got a fellow prisoner kicked off the wing just before he was killed by another inmate in a 20-second blade attack, a court has heard. Watkins died, aged 48, after an alleged attack last October at HMP Wakefield, where he was serving a 29-year sentence for child sexual offences.
Murder Trial Underway
Rashid Gedel, 25, referred to as Rico Gedel in court, and Samuel Dodsworth, 43, are on trial at Leeds Crown Court charged with murder. Tom Storey KC, prosecuting, said Ian Watkins was a notorious and high-profile prisoner and the day before had been accused of getting an inmate kicked off the wing.
He said: “The nature of the prison environment is such that some prisoners are justifiably considered to be more vulnerable than others, or are more susceptible to being taken advantage of for one reason or another; and some are more likely than others to be the target of violent attacks, not least because of their notoriety or the nature of their offending.
“It is also the sort of environment where grudges are borne and acted upon – often, to a greater degree than might be the case in open society – and where ‘grassing’ or ‘snitching’ on others is viewed in a poor light.
“As you will hear, not only was Ian Watkins a particularly notorious and high-profile prisoner, but the day before he was killed, he had received two notes accusing him of getting another prisoner kicked off the wing, demanding money from him and threatening violence towards him.”
Details of the Attack
Prosecutor Tom Storey KC told the jury Gedel attacked Watkins inside his cell on the morning of October 11, stabbing him three times with a homemade bladed weapon, which Dodsworth is said to have later hid. The court heard Gedel then taunted Watkins as prison officers escorted him back to his nearby cell while staff were still trying to give the disgraced rock star first aid.
Mr Storey said: "On the morning of October 11 last year, Ian Watkins was attacked in his cell not long after the prison officers had gone through the process of unlocking all the cell doors on his wing to allow the prisoners out for the morning.
"He suffered three incised wounds to his head and neck, one of which cut through his jugular vein and the surrounding muscle tissues. He was attacked by the first of the two defendants, Rico Gedel, with a homemade bladed weapon.
"This attack was part of what the prosecution say was clearly a joint offence which also involved the second defendant, Samuel Dodsworth, who was, the prosecution say, aware that the attack was to take place, and who assisted by, at the very least, disposing of the weapon used by Gedel in his attack upon Watkins."
Taunting After the Stabbing
Continuing his prosecution opening, Mr Storey said Gedel was then "taken back up to his cell on the second landing by a group of prison officers". He said: "Because his cell was immediately next to Mr Watkins', this meant that the group escorting him had to pass the open door to Ian Watkins’ cell at a time when prison officers were still trying to provide first aid to him. As he walked past Ian Watkins’ open cell door, Mr Gedel clearly said 'have a good night's sleep, Watkins lad'.
"He was then placed inside his own cell and once there, he was searched - nothing was found on his person or in his cell."
Watkins' Criminal History
Watkins was jailed in December 2013 for 29 years, with a further six years on licence, after admitting a string of sex offences - including the attempted rape of a fan's baby. He was arrested following the execution of a drugs warrant at his Pontypridd home on September 21, 2012, when a large number of computers, mobile phones and storage devices were seized. Analysis of the equipment uncovered the singer’s depraved behaviour.
Watkins was previously taken to hospital after being attacked in 2023. In 2019, he was jailed for an additional 10 months after being found guilty of possessing a mobile phone in prison.
