Entertainment Center/Reported by Cheng Zhengbang
Ian Watkins, who was once the lead singer of the popular British rock band “Lostprophets” and was notorious for committing a series of horrific child sex crimes, was recently reported to have been murdered in prison at the age of 48. Watkins, who has been in prison since 2013, was considered a “target” in prison because of his crimes. The fatal attack once again highlighted the problem of the British prison system’s management of high-risk prisoners.
According to reports from foreign media such as the Daily Mail and The Guardian, this murder that shocked British society occurred on the morning of October 11 (Saturday) local time. West Yorkshire Police in the United Kingdom received a report at around 9:39 a.m. that an inmate attack had occurred at HMP Wakefield Prison near Leeds.
Watkins was suddenly attacked by two inmates. Sources revealed to the media that Watkins was ambushed by an inmate with a razor blade immediately after his cell was unlocked in the morning, and his jugular vein was severed, causing him multiple serious injuries. He eventually died on the spot due to excessive blood loss. The source described the attack as “appalling even by prison standards and Watkins was killed in the most brutal manner.”
West Yorkshire Police subsequently arrested two men involved in the case, aged 25 and 43. They are currently detained on suspicion of murder and have launched a murder investigation. A spokesman for Wakefield Prison also confirmed the incident and said it was cooperating with the police investigation.
Watkins was once the soul of the band Lostprophets. He charmed thousands of fans with his musical talent and handsome appearance. The band’s famous songs include “Lost Train Home”, “Rooftops” and so on. However, his glory came to an abrupt end in 2012 due to a drug arrest.
The police discovered a large number of videos of child and animal sexual abuse on his electronic devices, revealing his series of heinous crimes. Watkins eventually pleaded guilty to multiple sex crimes involving children, conspiracy to sexually assault children, and attempted sexual assault of a child under 13 years old. In 2013, Watkins was sentenced to 29 years in prison.
Wakefield Prison, where he is serving his sentence, is one of the UK’s highest-security prisons for high-risk prisoners. It is known as the “Monster Mansion” among prisoners and specializes in housing sex offenders and serial murderers. Watkins’ situation there has always attracted much attention.
Was there any sign? Was kidnapped and beaten last year
In fact, this is not the first time Watkins has been assaulted in prison. As early as August 2023, Watkins was held hostage by three inmates in the same prison for six hours, and was beaten and stabbed with a knife. The reason was allegedly related to a drug debt of approximately US$1,200. Although the last attack did not result in fatal injuries, it has shown that he is highly dangerous behind bars. Sources pointed out that Watkins has been regarded as a “target” in prison, and this death is “only a matter of time”.