Ian Watkins, the former lead singer of the Welsh rock band Lostprophets, has died following a violent attack inside HMP Wakefield, one of the UK’s most secure prisons. Police have confirmed that two male inmates, aged 25 and 43, have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Watkins, 48, was serving a 29-year prison sentence for a series of child sex offences, including the attempted rape of a baby, when the attack occurred.

Fatal Assault at HMP Wakefield

West Yorkshire Police said officers were called to Wakefield Prison on Saturday morning after reports of a serious assault. Watkins was pronounced dead at the scene despite emergency response efforts.

A spokesperson for the Prison Service said they were aware of the incident but could not provide further details while the investigation is ongoing.

This is not the first time Watkins had been targeted behind bars — in August 2023, he was stabbed by fellow inmates, though his injuries at that time were not life-threatening.

The fatal assault comes less than two weeks after an inspection report warned that violence at Wakefield Prison had “increased markedly”, with older prisoners — particularly those convicted of sexual offences — expressing fears for their safety amid a growing population of younger, more aggressive inmates.

Convictions and Sentencing

Watkins was jailed in December 2013 after admitting to multiple counts of sexual assault involving children, possessing indecent images, and conspiring to rape a child. He denied one count of rape but pleaded guilty to numerous other offences, including possessing extreme pornography involving an animal.

Two women, the mothers of children he abused, were also convicted and sentenced to 14 and 17 years in prison.

During sentencing, Mr Justice Royce described Watkins’ crimes as acts that “plunged into new depths of depravity,” saying he had a “corrupting influence” and displayed a “complete lack of remorse.” Watkins’ appeal to reduce his sentence was rejected in 2014.

From Stardom to Disgrace

Before his conviction, Watkins was one of Wales’ most recognizable musicians. As the frontman of Lostprophets, he achieved international success, with the band selling millions of albums and performing at major festivals worldwide.

Formed in Pontypridd in 1997, Lostprophets became a defining name in the early 2000s alternative rock scene. However, the band disbanded immediately after Watkins’ arrest in 2013, and his crimes have since cast a lasting shadow over their legacy.

During his trial, prosecutors said Watkins had used his fame, drugs, and influence to manipulate and exploit his victims, describing his actions as “beyond imagination.”

Following the sentencing, Des Mannion, the NSPCC’s national head of service for Wales, said:

“Watkins used his status and global fame as a means to manipulate people and sexually abuse children. But this case isn’t about celebrity — it’s about victims, and those victims are children.”

Ongoing Investigation

Police continue to question the two inmates arrested in connection with the killing. Watkins’ death has reignited discussions around inmate protection, particularly for high-profile offenders and those convicted of sexual crimes.

As authorities investigate how another violent attack could occur inside one of the UK’s most heavily monitored prisons, HMP Wakefield — often referred to as “Monster Mansion” — once again finds itself under scrutiny.

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