The trial of two men accused of murdering ex-Lostprophets vocalist Ian Watkins has been moving through the British courts this week. Back on October 11th, 2025, Watkins was stabbed to death in his cell at the HMP Wakefield prison where he had been serving out a 29-year sentence for horrendous child sex crimes. Watkins was sentenced back in 2013 and had remained in prison since.
Per BBC, the prosecution allege that 25-year-old fellow inmate Rashid Gedel entered Watkins‘ cell roughly 20 minutes after it was unlocked on the morning on October 11th and proceeded to stab him three times in the head and neck. The prosecution allege that Gedel then handed off the improvised shank to 44-year-old inmate Samuel Dodsworth to dispose of it.
Thus far, both of the accused inmates have denied the charges. Authorities described Gedel as being “perky” upon being arrested for the incident, claiming that he would later tell police that he took issue with “nonce prisoners” getting “treated like royalty.”
It was heard in court that Watkins had received two notes the day prior to his murder. Those notes are said to have alleged that Watkins was responsible for having another prisoner kicked out of the wing he was incarcerated in, and demanded money with threats of violence.It was also revealed that Gedel had been moved into the same wing as Watkins and Dodsworth a day prior to the attack.
CCTV is said to have shown Gedel entering Watkins‘s cell for roughly 20 seconds before leaving and passing an item to Dodsworth. Shortly after Gedel exited Watkins‘ cell, the disgraced musician is said to have emerged his cell bloodied from the neck. Paramedics were unable to resuscitate Watkins, who was pronounced dead less than an hour after the attack. Further CCTV footage is said to have shown Dodsworth dispose of an item in a bin, where police found the bloodied murder weapon.
Gedel was quoted by prison staff as saying in the immediate aftermath of the murder, “If I’ve killed him, you could be talking to someone famous.”
The trial of Gedel and Dodsworth continues.
