Two men face court over murder of disgraced rock star Ian Watkins
Two inmates recently appeared in court charged with the murder of former Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins at HMP Wakefield. The accused, Rashid Gedel, 25, and Samuel Dodsworth, 43, both of HMP Wakefield, made an appearance at Leeds Magistrates’ Court after being charged with Watkins’ murder following an alleged attack on Saturday morning. Watkins, who was serving a 29-year sentence for child sex offenses, was found dead at the scene despite the presence of emergency services at the prison in West Yorkshire.
Dodsworth and Gedel were individually brought before the court, where they only spoke to verify their names and birthdates during the brief proceedings. District Judge Anthony Dunne noted that Dodsworth’s solicitor had submitted a form stating that the details shared in his interview outlined his case. On the other hand, a form for Gedel indicated that there would be no admissions or pleas entered at that stage.
Judge Dunne detained both men pending their upcoming hearing at Leeds Crown Court. The identities of the defendants were confirmed as Gedel describing himself as Black and Dodsworth as White British. Watkins, 48, had been sentenced to 29 years in prison in 2013 for various sex offenses, including attempting to rape a fan’s baby. His arrest followed a police raid on his Pontypridd residence in 2012 where incriminating evidence was seized.
In addition to his initial sentence, Watkins had been previously hospitalized after an assault in 2023, and later in 2019, received an extra 10-month prison term for possessing a mobile phone illegally in prison. Despite attempting to appeal his sentence based on pleading guilty to spare the jury from viewing his vile child pornography, Watkins was denied any reduction in his 29-year imprisonment by the Court of Appeal in Cardiff.
The gruesome nature of Watkins’ offenses against children was highlighted during his trial, featuring disturbing videos of his heinous acts. His sentences for these abhorrent crimes included 14 and 15-year consecutive terms for engaging in sexual activities with a child and attempting to rape an infant. Watkins faced a total of 11 offenses, all running concurrently with his original 29-year sentence. Throughout his legal battles, Watkins consistently sought to appeal his conviction and reduce his punishment but was met with refusals given the severity and depravity of his crimes.