Title: Lead Singer of Lostprophets Stabbed and Held Hostage in UK Prison
Subtitle: Ian Watkins, Convicted Pedophile, Fights for His Life after Brutal Attack
By Nicholas McEntyre | August 6, 2023 | 7:43am
Former lead singer of Lostprophets, Ian Watkins, who was serving a 29-year prison sentence for sexual offenses against children, was found stabbed in his jail cell at His Majesty’s Prison Wakefield. According to reports, Watkins was held hostage by fellow inmates before being rescued by prison personnel and rushed to a hospital in critical condition.
Watkins, aged 46, had confessed to multiple sexual offenses involving young children and infants. The attack took place on Saturday when three inmates took him hostage and subjected him to multiple stabbings and beatings. He was eventually freed after six hours. The severity of his injuries has left authorities fearing for his life.
Having founded Lostprophets in 1997, Watkins enjoyed success until the band disbanded in 2013 following his imprisonment. His charges included attempted rape, sexual assault of a child under 13, and possession of child pornography. Court documents revealed evidence of Watkins engaging in “oral, vaginal, and anal sex” with a 16-year-old female fan as well as his involvement with another 16-year-old fan who snorted a white powder believed to be cocaine during oral sex.
Watkins’ ex-girlfriend, Joanne Mjadzelics, alerted the police, claiming he had given drugs to a child and touched the victim inappropriately. Although the initial allegations were not thoroughly investigated, subsequent complaints about Watkins’ behavior prompted further action. During his trial, it was revealed that Watkins had engaged in anal and oral sex with two fans who were mothers to young children.
Justice John Royce, the judge presiding over the case, described Watkins as a “highly manipulative” predator. Over 90 indecent photos of children, aged between 2 and 14 years old, were found in his possession.
His Majesty’s Prison Wakefield, where the incident occurred, is known as the “Monster Mansion” due to its history of housing high-profile and high-risk prisoners, including notorious figures such as Harold Shipman, Charles Bronson, and Robert Maudsley.
As Watkins fights for his life in the hospital, the circumstances surrounding the attack and the security measures in place at the prison will undoubtedly face scrutiny.