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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Lostprophets singer remanded in custody charged with child sex offences | Lostprophets singer remanded in custody charged with child sex offences |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| The lead singer of the rock band Lostprophets, Ian Watkins, has been remanded in custody after appearing in court to face allegations of child sex abuse. | The lead singer of the rock band Lostprophets, Ian Watkins, has been remanded in custody after appearing in court to face allegations of child sex abuse. |
| Watkins, 35, has been charged with conspiring with a woman to rape a girl aged under 13. | Watkins, 35, has been charged with conspiring with a woman to rape a girl aged under 13. |
| Watkins, whose band has sold 3.5m albums worldwide, is also accused of conspiring to engage in sexual activity with a girl under 13. In addition he faces charges of possessing, making and distributing indecent images of children and possession of extreme pornography, some of which involves animals. | Watkins, whose band has sold 3.5m albums worldwide, is also accused of conspiring to engage in sexual activity with a girl under 13. In addition he faces charges of possessing, making and distributing indecent images of children and possession of extreme pornography, some of which involves animals. |
| The rock star appeared before magistrates in Cardiff along with two women, aged 20 and 24, from Doncaster and Bedford respectively. The pair, who cannot be named for legal reasons, have also been charged with offences relating to child sex abuse. | The rock star appeared before magistrates in Cardiff along with two women, aged 20 and 24, from Doncaster and Bedford respectively. The pair, who cannot be named for legal reasons, have also been charged with offences relating to child sex abuse. |
| Defending Watkins, Tom Crowther said his client – dressed in a black hooded top and looking tired – would deny the charges. He said he had no previous convictions and told the court Lostprophets had cancelled a planned tour. | Defending Watkins, Tom Crowther said his client – dressed in a black hooded top and looking tired – would deny the charges. He said he had no previous convictions and told the court Lostprophets had cancelled a planned tour. |
| All three were denied bail and told they would next appear before Cardiff crown court on 31 December. | All three were denied bail and told they would next appear before Cardiff crown court on 31 December. |
| Before Watkins's court appearance, South Wales police named Watkins and issued a press release asking anyone with information to come forward. | Before Watkins's court appearance, South Wales police named Watkins and issued a press release asking anyone with information to come forward. |
| In a statement it said: "In order to assist their investigation South Wales police has named the man as Ian Watkins, a member of the rock group Lostprophets." | In a statement it said: "In order to assist their investigation South Wales police has named the man as Ian Watkins, a member of the rock group Lostprophets." |
| The statement said Watkins and two women had been arrested as part of a "continuing investigation" codenamed Operation Globe and had been questioned at Cardiff bay police station. | The statement said Watkins and two women had been arrested as part of a "continuing investigation" codenamed Operation Globe and had been questioned at Cardiff bay police station. |
| The senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Peter Doyle, said: "Specially trained staff are available to speak to anyone with concerns or information regarding this investigation and a dedicated telephone number has been set up. | The senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Peter Doyle, said: "Specially trained staff are available to speak to anyone with concerns or information regarding this investigation and a dedicated telephone number has been set up. |
| "I want to encourage anyone who has any concerns or information which they think may be relevant to contact us. | "I want to encourage anyone who has any concerns or information which they think may be relevant to contact us. |
| "Safeguarding children involved in such cases is always a high priority and as such measures have already been taken." | "Safeguarding children involved in such cases is always a high priority and as such measures have already been taken." |
| Speaking after Watkins's appearance, John Cameron, head of child protection operations for the NSPCC, said: "We can confirm we are working alongside South Wales police and the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre on this investigation. | Speaking after Watkins's appearance, John Cameron, head of child protection operations for the NSPCC, said: "We can confirm we are working alongside South Wales police and the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre on this investigation. |
| "It's vital we send a clear message to those who have experienced abuse that they can never be to blame for what has happened to them, that they have somewhere to turn and that they will be taken seriously." | "It's vital we send a clear message to those who have experienced abuse that they can never be to blame for what has happened to them, that they have somewhere to turn and that they will be taken seriously." |
| Co-founded by Watkins in the south Wales town of Pontypridd in 1997, Lostprophets has released five albums, the latest, Weapons, in April. It has had two singles, Last Train Home and Rooftops, in the UK top 10. | Co-founded by Watkins in the south Wales town of Pontypridd in 1997, Lostprophets has released five albums, the latest, Weapons, in April. It has had two singles, Last Train Home and Rooftops, in the UK top 10. |
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