The horrifying story of Welsh alt-rock outfit Lostprophets is coming to a close, as frontman Ian Watkins has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for sex crime charges with children under the age of 13, including attempting to rape a baby.
According to the Guardian, 36-year-old Watkins will serve 29 years in prison, with an "extended license period" of six years, making his full sentence 35 years. However, he will be eligible for parole two thirds of the way into the sentence.
Two unnamed women — who are the mothers of children he abused — were sentenced to 14 and 17 years, respectively.
"Those who have appeared in these courts over many years see a large number of horrific cases. This case, however, breaks new ground," Justice Royce told Watkins at the sentencing. "You, Watkins, achieved fame and success as the lead singer of Lostprophets. You had many fawning fans. That gave you power. You knew you could use that power to induce young female fans to have help satisfy your insatiable lust and take part in the sexual abuse of their own children. Away from the highlights of your public performances lay a dark and sinister side."
Watkins was planning to make a statement today (December 18), where he was reportedly intending to say that his guilty plea was "mega lolz." In a phone call to a friend from prison on November 27, he said, "I'm going to put a statement on the 18th now just to say it was mega lolz, I don't know what everyone is getting so freaked out about."
Further, the court heard the following statement from Watkins:
"I'm not a pedophile, I'm not. You know I plead guilty just to avoid a trial, not realizing 'Hang on, that makes me look a bit guilty' but I would never harm anybody."
Watkins's barrister Sally O'Neill said that the musician has "no recollections" of the heinous acts he committed. As for the video footage of him attempting to rape a baby, she said, "He was very shocked when he saw it and couldn't believe he had participated in such activity."
According to the Guardian, 36-year-old Watkins will serve 29 years in prison, with an "extended license period" of six years, making his full sentence 35 years. However, he will be eligible for parole two thirds of the way into the sentence.
Two unnamed women — who are the mothers of children he abused — were sentenced to 14 and 17 years, respectively.
"Those who have appeared in these courts over many years see a large number of horrific cases. This case, however, breaks new ground," Justice Royce told Watkins at the sentencing. "You, Watkins, achieved fame and success as the lead singer of Lostprophets. You had many fawning fans. That gave you power. You knew you could use that power to induce young female fans to have help satisfy your insatiable lust and take part in the sexual abuse of their own children. Away from the highlights of your public performances lay a dark and sinister side."
Watkins was planning to make a statement today (December 18), where he was reportedly intending to say that his guilty plea was "mega lolz." In a phone call to a friend from prison on November 27, he said, "I'm going to put a statement on the 18th now just to say it was mega lolz, I don't know what everyone is getting so freaked out about."
Further, the court heard the following statement from Watkins:
"I'm not a pedophile, I'm not. You know I plead guilty just to avoid a trial, not realizing 'Hang on, that makes me look a bit guilty' but I would never harm anybody."
Watkins's barrister Sally O'Neill said that the musician has "no recollections" of the heinous acts he committed. As for the video footage of him attempting to rape a baby, she said, "He was very shocked when he saw it and couldn't believe he had participated in such activity."
