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Lostprophets' Ian Watkins child sex offences sentencing expected Lostprophets' Ian Watkins child sex offences sentencing expected
(35 minutes later)
A sentencing hearing for Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins for child sex offences including the attempted rape of a baby has been adjourned.A sentencing hearing for Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins for child sex offences including the attempted rape of a baby has been adjourned.
Watkins, 36, from Pontypridd, pleaded guilty to 13 child sex offences at Cardiff Crown Court in November.Watkins, 36, from Pontypridd, pleaded guilty to 13 child sex offences at Cardiff Crown Court in November.
On Wednesday, the court heard Watkins had said in a phone call after admitting the charges: "It was mega lols. I don't know what everyone is getting freaked out about."On Wednesday, the court heard Watkins had said in a phone call after admitting the charges: "It was mega lols. I don't know what everyone is getting freaked out about."
The sentencing was adjourned for lunch.The sentencing was adjourned for lunch.
The judgement is expected after 14:00 GMT. Mr Justice Royce said it was a "classic case that the evidence was so overwhelming" there should not be credit given.The judgement is expected after 14:00 GMT. Mr Justice Royce said it was a "classic case that the evidence was so overwhelming" there should not be credit given.
Watkins is being sentenced alongside two women, mothers of the abused children, known as Woman A and Woman B, who also pleaded guilty to child abuse charges at a hearing in November.Watkins is being sentenced alongside two women, mothers of the abused children, known as Woman A and Woman B, who also pleaded guilty to child abuse charges at a hearing in November.
He admitted the attempted rape and sexual assault of a child under 13 but pleaded not guilty to rape.He admitted the attempted rape and sexual assault of a child under 13 but pleaded not guilty to rape.
He also admitted conspiring to rape a child, three counts of sexual assault involving children, seven involving taking, making or possessing indecent images of children and one of possessing an extreme pornographic image involving a sex act on an animal.He also admitted conspiring to rape a child, three counts of sexual assault involving children, seven involving taking, making or possessing indecent images of children and one of possessing an extreme pornographic image involving a sex act on an animal.
On Wednesday, at the sentencing hearing the court was told that during the calls made while Watkins was at Parc Prison in Bridgend, he denied being a paedophile and told the caller he only pleaded guilty to avoid a trial.On Wednesday, at the sentencing hearing the court was told that during the calls made while Watkins was at Parc Prison in Bridgend, he denied being a paedophile and told the caller he only pleaded guilty to avoid a trial.
Defending, Sally O'Neill QC said Watkins "belatedly realised the gravity of what happened" and was "deeply, deeply sorry".Defending, Sally O'Neill QC said Watkins "belatedly realised the gravity of what happened" and was "deeply, deeply sorry".
She said the Lostprophets were an extremely well-known band.She said the Lostprophets were an extremely well-known band.
"Ian Watkins was the lead singer and was the focus of constant attention from fans and some would do anything to get it - and keep it," she told the court."Ian Watkins was the lead singer and was the focus of constant attention from fans and some would do anything to get it - and keep it," she told the court.
He developed an "obsession" with filming himself having sex.He developed an "obsession" with filming himself having sex.
Fans used "extraordinary tactics" to get his attention, and the teenagers he filmed himself having sex with were "extremely willing" participants, she added.Fans used "extraordinary tactics" to get his attention, and the teenagers he filmed himself having sex with were "extremely willing" participants, she added.
She asked for credit for Watkins's guilty plea to spare the jury and others "an extremely difficult and distressing" trial.She asked for credit for Watkins's guilty plea to spare the jury and others "an extremely difficult and distressing" trial.
However Mr Justice Royce said she was being "wholly unrealistic" to consider that to be mitigation of his guilty plea.However Mr Justice Royce said she was being "wholly unrealistic" to consider that to be mitigation of his guilty plea.
He called Watkins' actions "horrific sexual abuse of babies".He called Watkins' actions "horrific sexual abuse of babies".
Ms O'Neill said the videos needed to be looked at "in context" of his life and not in isolation.Ms O'Neill said the videos needed to be looked at "in context" of his life and not in isolation.
She said Watkins life changed at the age of 30 when he became addicted to drugs which had played a "significant" part in the offences.She said Watkins life changed at the age of 30 when he became addicted to drugs which had played a "significant" part in the offences.
'No memory''No memory'
She said Watkins had no memory of the crime involving Woman A and her son, where he admitted to the attempted rape of a baby.She said Watkins had no memory of the crime involving Woman A and her son, where he admitted to the attempted rape of a baby.
"Because he had no memory he could not believe he had done that," she said, adding he had now "confronted reality" of what he had done."Because he had no memory he could not believe he had done that," she said, adding he had now "confronted reality" of what he had done.
Watkins was on 15-minute suicide watch while on remand, the court heard.Watkins was on 15-minute suicide watch while on remand, the court heard.
Ms O'Neill said the crimes were deeply serious but added: "The baby's mother was clearly encouraging him."Ms O'Neill said the crimes were deeply serious but added: "The baby's mother was clearly encouraging him."
The court heard Watkins's relationship with Woman B initially involved sending hundreds of messages including images of bestiality, before he even knew her name.The court heard Watkins's relationship with Woman B initially involved sending hundreds of messages including images of bestiality, before he even knew her name.
Ms O'Neill said: "The involvement and responsibility of these offences is joint and equal and without the mothers would not have taken place.Ms O'Neill said: "The involvement and responsibility of these offences is joint and equal and without the mothers would not have taken place.
"It would be hard to say how hard he has fallen... whatever sentence is given, he will be in prison for a large number of years."It would be hard to say how hard he has fallen... whatever sentence is given, he will be in prison for a large number of years.
"He does not know how he's going to cope with it.""He does not know how he's going to cope with it."
Jonathan Fuller QC, defending for Woman A, said she felt genuine remorse and was devastated by what she had done.Jonathan Fuller QC, defending for Woman A, said she felt genuine remorse and was devastated by what she had done.
"She was a vulnerable girl who allowed herself to be manipulated and corrupted this co-defendant [who] introduced her to a world of drugs including injecting her with heroin to facilitate his sexual gratification," he said."She was a vulnerable girl who allowed herself to be manipulated and corrupted this co-defendant [who] introduced her to a world of drugs including injecting her with heroin to facilitate his sexual gratification," he said.
"And ultimately she allowed herself to be taken to a very dark place.""And ultimately she allowed herself to be taken to a very dark place."
He told the court she was "no obsessive fan" but "she didn't know how far she was prepared to go" to secure her relationship with Watkins.He told the court she was "no obsessive fan" but "she didn't know how far she was prepared to go" to secure her relationship with Watkins.
Mr Justice Royce said the planning of the crimes was "chilling".Mr Justice Royce said the planning of the crimes was "chilling".
Christine Laing QC, defending Woman B, said she was a fan with a personality disorder suffering from post-natal depression.Christine Laing QC, defending Woman B, said she was a fan with a personality disorder suffering from post-natal depression.
The court heard she could not believe Watkins could be interested in her and was flattered.The court heard she could not believe Watkins could be interested in her and was flattered.
He promised her "a life she could only ever have dreamed of".He promised her "a life she could only ever have dreamed of".
Watkins said to her: "You can reap the rewards of your master.... you and your daughter now belong to me."Watkins said to her: "You can reap the rewards of your master.... you and your daughter now belong to me."
From then on she was "hooked".From then on she was "hooked".
Medical evidence showed the child had not been physically harmed.Medical evidence showed the child had not been physically harmed.
Ms Laing said a report said she was clearly remorseful for her behaviour and the loss of her child was her punishment.Ms Laing said a report said she was clearly remorseful for her behaviour and the loss of her child was her punishment.
'Complex''Complex'
Meanwhile, South Wales Police are investigating whether Watkins also committed offences in Germany and America and the IPCC has confirmed it was investigating three police forces over the case.Meanwhile, South Wales Police are investigating whether Watkins also committed offences in Germany and America and the IPCC has confirmed it was investigating three police forces over the case.
In a statement, the police watchdog said: "We now have three separate independent investigations into South Wales, South Yorkshire and Bedfordshire Police running alongside each other involving the handling of information held on Mr Watkins prior to his arrest.In a statement, the police watchdog said: "We now have three separate independent investigations into South Wales, South Yorkshire and Bedfordshire Police running alongside each other involving the handling of information held on Mr Watkins prior to his arrest.
"But this is complex and will take time. There are clearly links between the three investigations which cover a four year period and involve numerous allegations and reports and the police response to each must be considered.""But this is complex and will take time. There are clearly links between the three investigations which cover a four year period and involve numerous allegations and reports and the police response to each must be considered."
A significant part of the investigation into South Wales Police centres on a detective sergeant who is also being investigated in a separate case where it is alleged he failed to act on allegations a 15-year-old girl had been raped, the IPCC said.A significant part of the investigation into South Wales Police centres on a detective sergeant who is also being investigated in a separate case where it is alleged he failed to act on allegations a 15-year-old girl had been raped, the IPCC said.
Five forces in total gave South Wales Police information on Watkins. Five forces in total gave South Wales Police information on Watkins, including Essex, West Yorkshire, and the Metropolitan Police.
Det Ch Insp Peter Doyle of South Wales Police is leading an investigation into other possible offences by Watkins and says he "is sure" of other child victims.Det Ch Insp Peter Doyle of South Wales Police is leading an investigation into other possible offences by Watkins and says he "is sure" of other child victims.
He said the investigation was large scale because the amount of data involved - 27 terabytes - was "four or five times" the size of the databases held by South Wales Police.He said the investigation was large scale because the amount of data involved - 27 terabytes - was "four or five times" the size of the databases held by South Wales Police.
He added: "The inquiries currently being conducted in Germany and the United States lead me to believe that there are further victims in those countries.He added: "The inquiries currently being conducted in Germany and the United States lead me to believe that there are further victims in those countries.
"At this juncture my belief is that they are child victims.""At this juncture my belief is that they are child victims."
The South Wales Police team is liaising with the National Crime Agency, Interpol, and Homeland Security in America.The South Wales Police team is liaising with the National Crime Agency, Interpol, and Homeland Security in America.
A former girlfriend of Watkins claims she warned police repeatedly over several years about the singer.A former girlfriend of Watkins claims she warned police repeatedly over several years about the singer.
South Wales police referred themselves to the IPCC after Ian Watkins was charged nearly a year ago.South Wales police referred themselves to the IPCC after Ian Watkins was charged nearly a year ago.