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Ian Watkins, the former lead singer of Lostprophets convicted of serious child sexual offences, was subjected to bullying and threats demanding money in prison prior to his fatal stabbing. The court learned that days before his death, Watkins received intimidating letters demanding £500 and warning that he would be violently attacked if he failed to pay up.
Watkins died from stab wounds on 11 October while incarcerated at HMP Wakefield, where he was serving a 29-year sentence with an additional six years on extended licence for his crimes. During the trial, it was revealed that the threatening letters labeled him a “snitch” and demanded payment for items such as a hi-fi system, lamp, and fan. One letter read, “Ian, you’ve got until Saturday to pay for my hi-fi, lamp and fan… If you don’t pay by then, I promise you, I will get your head cracked open, you snitch.”
Two men, Rico Gedel, 25, also known previously as Rashid Gedel, and Samuel Dodsworth, 44, stand accused of murder and possession of a makeshift knife inside the prison, charges which they both deny. Testimonies from prison staff and contractors present at the time of the stabbing painted a grim picture of the aftermath. One prison officer described Watkins as vulnerable and said other inmates knew he had money, making him a target. This officer also testified that Watkins had confided in him about receiving “quite threatening” letters shortly before the attack.
Statements from workers at HMP Wakefield detailed seeing Watkins covered in blood after the stabbing. A plumber recounted noticing blood on the right side of Watkins’ face, while another workman said Watkins had a significant open wound on his collarbone and jaw, and was bleeding heavily from the neck down. The footage shown in court depicted Gedel leaving the area near Watkins’ cell shortly after the attack, conversing briefly with Dodsworth. Watkins was seen briefly emerging from his cell covered in blood before retreating back inside.
Watkins had been convicted in December 2013 after admitting numerous sexual offences, including the attempted rape of a fan’s baby, and was subsequently sentenced to a lengthy prison term. The trial continues to examine the circumstances leading to his death and the involvement of the accused
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