The jury in the trial of two prisoners accused of murdering paedophile Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins has been discharged for legal reasons. This development means the case will now proceed to a retrial.
Watkins was stabbed to death by Rico Gedel, 25, in his cell at high-security HMP Wakefield, where he was serving a 29-year sentence for child sexual offences. Gedel is accused of murder, and fellow inmate Samuel Dodsworth, 44, is charged with assisting an offender.
Leeds Crown Court heard that after walking out of the cell, Gedel handed the makeshift knife to Dodsworth, who threw it in a bin. On Friday, the judge, Mr Justice Hilliard, discharged the jury, telling them: "Very reluctantly, I’m going to discharge you and the case will have to be re-tried. That’s disappointing for you and for everyone."
This is a breaking story. More updates will follow as the case progresses.
