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Accused killer of Lostprophets’ Ian Watkins bragged about becoming “famous”, court hears
A court heard Rashid Gedel boasted of becoming "famous" after stabbing Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins in Wakefield Prison on October 11.
A man accused of killing Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins told prison staff they “could be talking to someone famous”, a jury was told at the opening of a prisoners’ murder trial.
Watkins, 48, was found dead in Wakefield Prison on October 11. He had been serving a 29-year sentence with a further six years on licence after pleading guilty in 2013 to 13 sex offences, including the attempted rape of a baby, conspiring to rape a child, three counts of sexual assault involving children, seven counts relating to taking, making or possessing indecent images of children, and one count of possessing an extreme pornographic image involving an animal.
Two men were arrested after Watkins’ death and charged two days later. Prosecutors named Rashid Gedel, 25, who was referred to in court as Rico Gedel, and Samuel Dodsworth, 43. Dodsworth pleaded not guilty to murder in November.
The court heard that Gedel boasted about becoming “famous” after stabbing Watkins in the head and neck with a homemade knife. After the attack, Gedel handed the weapon to Dodsworth, who then disposed of it, the prosecutor said.
Although the stabbing was carried out by a single man, prosecutors say the attack was “a joint offence” between the two defendants. Both Gedel and Dodsworth deny murder and deny possession of a makeshift knife in prison.
The assault happened moments after Watkins’ cell door was opened that morning, and lasted about 20 seconds, the jury was told.
Tom Storey KC described Watkins in court as a “particularly notorious and high-profile” prisoner who had received threats from other inmates, including the day before he was killed.
“That little black fella”
Storey said that when officers who were trying to save Watkins asked who had attacked him, Watkins “said something to the effect of ‘that little black fella’.”
Prison officers described Gedel as “perky” when he was detained after the attack. The court heard allegations that, as he was taken past the cell while Watkins was receiving medical treatment, Gedel said: “have a good night’s sleep Watkins lad”.
According to the prosecution, when Gedel was asked after the attack who he thought was responsible he replied: “God.”
Gedel told police he was jealous of what he called “nonce prisoners” because they “got treated like royalty” and that he found it disgusting to share a wing with sex offenders, the court heard.
The jury was told Gedel had been moved into the same wing as Watkins and Dodsworth the day before the attack and had been “coincidentally” placed in the cell next to Watkins.
