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'Lostprophets' singer admits to attempting to rape a baby

Former 'Lostprophets' frontman Ian Watkins has admitted a string of sex offences including two ch...
Newstalk
Newstalk

17.26 26 Nov 2013


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'Lostprophets'...

'Lostprophets' singer admits to attempting to rape a baby

Newstalk
Newstalk

17.26 26 Nov 2013


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Former 'Lostprophets' frontman Ian Watkins has admitted a string of sex offences including two charges of attempting to rape a baby. The singer made a series of admissions in a last-minute change of plea ahead of what would have been his trial at Cardiff Crown Court in the UK.

Watkins, 36, from Pontypridd in south Wales, insists he has no memory of what would have been key video evidence at the trial showing the abuse of his 1-year-old victim, the court heard.

The tattooed singer pleaded guilty to a string of sex offences he had previously denied. The charges included sexually touching a 1-year-old and encouraging a crazed groupie to abuse her own child during a sordid webcam chat.

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Watkins also admitted possessing and making child sexual images as well as launching the plot to rape a baby. The disgraced rocker was originally charged with actual rape but insisted sex with the child did not take place during a drug-fuelled binge he says he was on at the time.

Watkins originally faced 24 separate charges - all sex offence related. He pleaded guilty to 11 charges today, nine of which were unchanged and two of attempted baby rape, as opposed to rape.

Prosecutor Christopher Clee QC told the judge that both of the attempted rape admissions were accepted. He acknowledged that there was an argument regarding what key video evidence seized from Watkins's laptop actually showed.

"From the footage, there is an argument as to whether the full offence is made out," he told judge Mr. Justice Royce.

"If it is made out, it is minimal. There is so little difference between the full attempt and the attempt as to make no difference. We are prepared to accept the pleas as tendered" he added.

He also told the judge that the prosecution had in mind the effect on the jury of watching the explicit video footage. Previous hearings discussed arranging counselling for jurors who might need it.


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