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Lostprophets' Ian Watkins sentenced to 35 years over child sex offences | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins has been sentenced to 35 years for child sex offences including the attempted rape of a baby. | |
Watkins, 36, from Pontypridd, pleaded guilty to 13 child sex offences at Cardiff Crown Court in November. | |
He will spend 29 years of his sentence in jail with the remaining six on licence. | |
His two co-defendants, mothers of the abused children, were also jailed for 14 and 17 years. | |
Speaking before sentence, Mr Justice Royce said the case broke "new ground" and "plunged into new depths of depravity". | |
Watkins was sentenced alongside the two women known as Woman A and Woman B who also pleaded guilty to child abuse charges. | |
Woman A was jailed for 14 years and Woman B was sentenced to 17 years in prison. | |
Watkins 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. |
During sentencing, Mr Justice Royce said the case "plunged into new depths of depravity". | |
"Those who have appeared in these courts over many years see here a large number of horrific cases," he said. | "Those who have appeared in these courts over many years see here a large number of horrific cases," he said. |
"This case breaks new ground. Any decent person... will experience shock, revulsion and incredulity." | "This case breaks new ground. Any decent person... will experience shock, revulsion and incredulity." |
He added it was a "classic case that the evidence was so overwhelming" there should not be credit given. | He added it was a "classic case that the evidence was so overwhelming" there should not be credit given. |
The judge said Watkins had a "corrupting influence", and had shown a "complete lack of remorse". He also said Watkins posed a significant risk to the public in particular to women with young children. | The judge said Watkins had a "corrupting influence", and had shown a "complete lack of remorse". He also said Watkins posed a significant risk to the public in particular to women with young children. |
He told Woman A: "What you were both doing is both sickening and incomprehensible" and said to Woman B that she did not regard her child as a human being. | |
Earlier on Wednesday, the court was told by defending barrister Sally O'Neill QC how 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. |
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" over 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" over 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. |
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 by 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 by 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." |
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. |
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. |