A court hears that Ian Watkins, the disgraced former Lostprophets frontman serving a long prison sentence for child sexual offences, is fatally attacked inside HMP Wakefield. Prosecutors say Rico Gedel, 25, slashes Watkins with a makeshift blade in his cell. Accounts presented in court include statements attributed to Gedel during or after the attack, saying “this is what paedophiles deserve.” Gedel also tells police he “could not cope” with being housed around sex offenders and admits attacking Watkins, but denies intending to kill him.
The case includes evidence about the severity and location of Watkins’ injuries, with reports that his throat is cut and that the wounds cause catastrophic blood loss. One report also describes an earlier episode in which Watkins allegedly gets another inmate moved or kicked off the wing shortly before the blade attack. The reporting also indicates the trial faces procedural issues, with mention that a jury raised concerns and the case may require a retrial.
