New details have emerged during the trial at Leeds Crown Court regarding the death of convicted sex offender and former Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins. Two inmates, 25-year-old Rico Gedel and 44-year-old Samuel Dodsworth, are currently standing trial accused of murdering the 48-year-old former singer at HMP Wakefield on October 11 of last year. Both men have denied the murder charge, as well as the possession of a makeshift blade within the prison facility.
Prosecutor Tom Storey KC informed the jury that the Crown views the incident as a joint enterprise, alleging both individuals intended to cause serious harm at a minimum, as reported by GB News. While Rico Gedel accepts responsibility for the fatal stabbing, he maintains that he lost control and has only admitted to manslaughter. His co-defendant, Samuel Dodsworth, claims he had no prior knowledge of the planned assault.
According to the prosecution, Rico Gedel entered the cell of Ian Watkins shortly before 9:20 a.m., roughly 20 minutes after the doors on B wing were unlocked. Armed with an improvised weapon fitted with a Stanley knife-style edge, the attacker inflicted three stab wounds to the victim’s head and neck over the course of a 20-second assault. One of the wounds severed the jugular vein and surrounding muscle tissue, leading to severe blood loss. The former rock singer emerged from his cell holding his neck before maintenance workers alerted staff. Despite the efforts of prison officers and paramedics, Ian Watkins lost consciousness and was pronounced dead shortly before 10:15 a.m.
The Crown asserts that Samuel Dodsworth acted as a lookout near the staircase and subsequently disposed of the weapon. The court heard that following the stabbing, Rico Gedel handed an object to his co-defendant, who allegedly placed it in his tracksuit pocket before dropping it in a bin where officers later recovered the bloodied knife. Samuel Dodsworth told police he acted “in panic” and attempted to return the blade to Rico Gedel.
Following the attack, Rico Gedel reportedly offered no resistance to officers. As he was escorted past the cell where Ian Watkins was receiving medical attention, he allegedly remarked: “Have a good night’s sleep, Watkins lad.” Staff monitoring him through his cell door hatch noted his notably upbeat manner in the aftermath of the incident.
The prosecutor detailed to the jury that Rico Gedel discussed his original offense with one officer, stating words to the effect of: “If I’m going to do life for murder, I’m going to make sure it’s worth it.” He also allegedly boasted: “If I’ve killed him, you could be talking to someone famous.”
During his original trial, the sentencing judge stated that Ian Watkins had “plunged into new depths of depravity” and displayed minimal remorse. He was serving a 35-year extended sentence for a string of child sexual offenses, including the attempted r**e of a baby.
The court was informed that the day before his death, the former musician received two notes demanding money, threatening violence, and accusing him of having another inmate removed from the wing. Tom Storey KC noted that Rico Gedel had been transferred to the same wing just one day prior to the killing and was placed “coincidentally” in the cell immediately adjacent to the victim. The trial is expected to last approximately three weeks.
