Ian Watkins, the 48-year-old disgraced former lead singer of Welsh rock band Lostprophets, has died after being attacked by another inmate at HMP Wakefield in West Yorkshire.
Watkins was serving a 29-year prison sentence (with six years on licence) for multiple child sex offences, including the attempted rape of a baby, which he admitted in 2013.
Watkins was serving a 29-year prison sentence (with six years on licence) for multiple child sex offences, including the attempted rape of a baby, which he admitted in 2013.
HMP Wakefield
West Yorkshire Police said officers were called at 09.39 today, Saturday 11 October 2025, after Prison Officers at HMP Wakefield reported an assault on a prisoner.
Emergency Services attended and Watkins was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.
Detectives from the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team have launched a full investigation into the death.
Emergency Services attended and Watkins was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.
Detectives from the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team have launched a full investigation into the death.
MUGSHOT: Ian Wakins A Prison Service spokesperson said they were unable to comment while the police investigation is under way.
Sources told other members of the media that Wakefield Prison was immediately put into lockdown following the incident.
Watkins had previously been stabbed and briefly held hostage by other inmates at the same prison in 2023, but suffered only non-life-threatening injuries in that attack.
Watkins was arrested after police executed a drugs warrant at his Pontypridd home in September 2012, when officers seized computers, mobile phones and other Electronic Devices.
Evidence from that raid led to his prosecution. In December 2013 he pleaded guilty to 13 sexual offences, including the attempted rape of a baby, and was sentenced to 29 years in prison with a further six years On Licence.
Sources told other members of the media that Wakefield Prison was immediately put into lockdown following the incident.
Watkins had previously been stabbed and briefly held hostage by other inmates at the same prison in 2023, but suffered only non-life-threatening injuries in that attack.
Watkins was arrested after police executed a drugs warrant at his Pontypridd home in September 2012, when officers seized computers, mobile phones and other Electronic Devices.
Evidence from that raid led to his prosecution. In December 2013 he pleaded guilty to 13 sexual offences, including the attempted rape of a baby, and was sentenced to 29 years in prison with a further six years On Licence.
| In late August 2023, Emma Kenny - a criminologist, author, and television presenter - released a detailed episode exploring Ian Watkins and his catalogue of depraved sexual offences as part of her YouTube channel's documentary series. It can be viewed by watching the video embedded to the right of this article. Please be aware that Emma's commentary does contain details that are unsettling and viewer discretion is advised. | |
JUDGE: Mr. Justice Royce
At the sentencing inside Cardiff Crown Court, Mr. Justice Royce (the Judge presiding over Ian Wakins' trial), said:
"Those who have appeared in these courts over many years, see here, a large number of horrific cases,
"This case breaks new ground. Any decent person... will experience shock, revulsion and incredulity."
Mr. Justice Royce, concluded:
"The case broke 'new ground' and "plunged into new depths of depravity".
"Those who have appeared in these courts over many years, see here, a large number of horrific cases,
"This case breaks new ground. Any decent person... will experience shock, revulsion and incredulity."
Mr. Justice Royce, concluded:
"The case broke 'new ground' and "plunged into new depths of depravity".
RSS Feed
