Two men, Rashid Gedel, 25, and Samuel Dodsworth, 43, have been charged with the murder of former Lostprophets singer and convicted paedophile, Ian Watkins, who was found dead following an attack at HMP Wakefield, where he was serving a 29-year sentence for child sex offences. Both defendants appeared before Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday, with no pleas entered during the short hearings. The case has now been sent to the Crown Court, where they will face trial.

The disgraced rocker, 48, was found dead at HMP Wakefield following an alleged assault inside the high-security prison on October 11. The jail, often called the “Monster Mansion,” was placed on lockdown as emergency teams rushed in to contain the situation. Watkins was serving a 29-year sentence, with an extra six years on licence, for a string of horrific sex offences, including the attempted rape of a fan’s baby. He admitted a total of 13 offences back in 2013, in a case that shocked the world and destroyed his music career overnight.

During sentencing at the time, the judge described Watkins as a “determined and committed paedophile” who used his fame to exploit his victims.

One court witness said: “He took advantage of his position in the band to target vulnerable fans. His actions were beyond comprehension.”

It’s not the first time Watkins has been attacked behind bars. In 2023, he was held hostage for six hours and stabbed during another violent incident inside HMP Wakefield. Sources claimed the attack was as a result of a drug debt. Despite serious injuries, Watkins survived and was placed under tighter supervision.

A prison insider told reporters after the latest incident: “Everyone knew Watkins had enemies. He was one of the most hated men inside Wakefield. People used to say it was only a matter of time.”

Watkins was one of the UK’s most high-profile sex offenders. His case sparked national outrage after he admitted attempting to rape a baby, sexually assaulting children, and possessing child abuse images. The singer, once adored by fans around the world, became a symbol of betrayal and evil.

Even in prison, reports said Watkins struggled to adjust. In 2019, he was caught with a mobile phone hidden inside his cell, a move that earned him an extra 10 months in jail. Investigators said the phone was used to contact fans and women from his past. HMP Wakefield is known for housing some of Britain’s most dangerous criminals, including serial killers and sex offenders. The prison’s violent history has long raised concerns about inmate safety and staff shortages.

After Watkins’ death, the Ministry of Justice confirmed an investigation is underway. A spokesperson said: “We can confirm that a prisoner at HMP Wakefield has died. As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will investigate.”

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Watkins’ name still divides opinion, with some believing he got what was coming, while others point to failings in prison management. Online, social media reactions were mixed. One user wrote: “Evil man, but prison or not, no one deserves to be butchered like that.” Another added: “Justice served, karma doesn’t miss.”