Ian Watkins sentence appeal rejected

Former Lostprophets singer and convicted paedophile Ian Watkins has had his appeal bid against his sentence turned down.

Ian Watkins sentence appeal rejected

Former Lostprophets singer and convicted paedophile Ian Watkins has had his appeal bid against his sentence turned down.

Court of Appeal judges sitting at Cardiff Crown Court said they would not grant leave for appeal.

One of Watkins’ two female accomplices also had her appeal bid turned down.

Although 37-year-old Watkins did not challenge his 13 sex offence convictions, the disgraced rock star complained he was treated too harshly by sentencing judge Mr Justice Royce.

Watkins was handed a 29 year jail term as well as an additional six years on licence.

Among the offences he pleaded guilty to included the attempted rape of an 11-month old child as well as encouraging a fan to abuse her baby via webcam.

Police also found a stash of child porn videos – some of which he had made himself.

Originally, Watkins had pleaded his innocence to a string of offences – despite a damning video evidence.

He changed his plea at the last minute – averting a trial – but then complained he had not realised that his guilty plea had made him “look guilty”.

While awaiting sentencing, he was recorded by prison officials saying the whole thing was “megalolz” during a telephone call to a friend.

Mr Justice Royce called Watkins a dangerous sexual predator.

As he sentenced the singer last December, the judge told a now grey haired Watkins: “The public and, in particular, young females need protection from you.”

Defending Watkins at today’s hearing was QC Sally O’Neil.

She said her client was not given enough discount for pleading guilty.

She said: “This case causes a very disturbing reaction for anyone who has has anything to do with it. We accept these matters are very serious.

“But by pleading guilty my client averted the need for a most distressing and unpleasant trial for all those concerned, especially a jury.

“He did not have to plead guilty and if he had done so the consequences would have been shocking.

“ I am not trying to minimise the gravity of these offences, just simply make the observation that a sense of proportion needs to be maintained.

“These offences, however bad, are not the worst.”

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

Russia arrests another suspect in concert hall attack that killed 143 Russia arrests another suspect in concert hall attack that killed 143
Andrew Flintoff File Photos Andrew Flintoff’s BBC return confirmed following Top Gear crash
Glastonbury Festival 2007 - Worthy Farm - Pilton, Somerset Song lyrics have become angrier since the 80s, study shows
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited