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Lostprophets' Ian Watkins abuse: Online 'chat' risk warning | Lostprophets' Ian Watkins abuse: Online 'chat' risk warning |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Police are warning people talking about paedophile rock star Ian Watkins on social media that they run a "very real risk" of identifying his victims. | Police are warning people talking about paedophile rock star Ian Watkins on social media that they run a "very real risk" of identifying his victims. |
The former Lostprophets frontman from Pontypridd faces a lengthy jail term after admitting "depraved" sex abuse against children, including a baby. | The former Lostprophets frontman from Pontypridd faces a lengthy jail term after admitting "depraved" sex abuse against children, including a baby. |
South Wales Police said while there was "strong public feeling" about the case, people should be careful what they say. | South Wales Police said while there was "strong public feeling" about the case, people should be careful what they say. |
Officers said the victims' distress would increase if they were identified. | Officers said the victims' distress would increase if they were identified. |
The law provides Watkins' victims with anonymity for life. | The law provides Watkins' victims with anonymity for life. |
For that reason, the two women convicted with him - the mothers of the children he targeted - have not been named. | For that reason, the two women convicted with him - the mothers of the children he targeted - have not been named. |
The pair also pleaded guilty to a range of offences as their trial alongside Watkins was about to start at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday. | The pair also pleaded guilty to a range of offences as their trial alongside Watkins was about to start at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday. |
The court heard that the two women sexually abused their own children and made them available to the 36-year-old rock singer for him to abuse. | The court heard that the two women sexually abused their own children and made them available to the 36-year-old rock singer for him to abuse. |
Detective Chief Inspector Peter Doyle described it as "the most shocking case I have ever seen". | Detective Chief Inspector Peter Doyle described it as "the most shocking case I have ever seen". |
Rumours about the details of the case began to circulate on social media websites shortly after evidence was presented before the jury. | |
Police monitoring Facebook and Twitter say they are concerned about the nature of some of the chatter, and have issued a warning for people to be careful over what they post online. | Police monitoring Facebook and Twitter say they are concerned about the nature of some of the chatter, and have issued a warning for people to be careful over what they post online. |
Sentenced | Sentenced |
Det Ch Insp Doyle said: "Clearly there is strong public feeling about this case and many people are using social media outlets to talk about the issues involved. | Det Ch Insp Doyle said: "Clearly there is strong public feeling about this case and many people are using social media outlets to talk about the issues involved. |
"However, there is a very real danger that some of the detail being posted will lead to the identification of victims which will cause a great deal of distress to them and their families." | "However, there is a very real danger that some of the detail being posted will lead to the identification of victims which will cause a great deal of distress to them and their families." |
Meanwhile, a music journalist said Watkins' behaviour changed dramatically over the year and he eventually started staying in separate hotels and travelled in different cars to the rest of the group. | Meanwhile, a music journalist said Watkins' behaviour changed dramatically over the year and he eventually started staying in separate hotels and travelled in different cars to the rest of the group. |
Gavin Allen told the BBC News website: "In hindsight it looks like he was hiding his behaviour from the rest of the band." | Gavin Allen told the BBC News website: "In hindsight it looks like he was hiding his behaviour from the rest of the band." |
Mr Allen first interviewed the band in 2000. | Mr Allen first interviewed the band in 2000. |
"Then, they were still a hard core band, a straight-edge band which is a phrase used for a band not using drugs or drink," he said. | "Then, they were still a hard core band, a straight-edge band which is a phrase used for a band not using drugs or drink," he said. |
But seven years later Watkins was "detached" from the band and they were giving interviews without him. | But seven years later Watkins was "detached" from the band and they were giving interviews without him. |
"When I saw his mug shots the change in him is startling," Mr Allen said. | "When I saw his mug shots the change in him is startling," Mr Allen said. |
"He's gone from having manicured hair to the image of him of what he's become, a sex offender." | "He's gone from having manicured hair to the image of him of what he's become, a sex offender." |
Watkins and the two women will be sentenced on 18 December. | Watkins and the two women will be sentenced on 18 December. |
Anyone who has been affected by this case or other cases of child abuse can contact South Wales Police on 029 20634184 or the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000. | Anyone who has been affected by this case or other cases of child abuse can contact South Wales Police on 029 20634184 or the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000. |