Prisoner accused of Lostprophets singer’s murder boasted to guards about fame, court told

A prisoner accused of murdering the disgraced former Lostprophets singer told guards they “could be talking to someone famous” after stabbing Ian Watkins in the head and neck with a homemade knife, a court has heard. Rico Gedel carried out the attack on Watkins, who was serving a 29-year sentence for child sexual offences, in his cell at HMP Wakefield, a high-security prison, on 11 October, Leeds crown court heard. Gedel, 25, then handed the makeshift weapon to fellow prisoner Samuel Dodsworth, who disposed of it, the prosecutor told the jury at the opening of the prisoners’ murder trial. The attack, carried out moments after Watkins’ cell door had been opened that morning, lasted about 20 seconds, with 44-year-old Dodsworth acting as a lookout, said Tom Storey KC. When asked after the attack whom he thought was responsible, Gedel said: “God.” In the moments before his death, when officers who tried to save his life asked who had attacked him, Watkins “said something to the effect of ‘that little black fella’”, Storey told the court. Watkins was a “particularly notorious and high-profile” prisoner, said Storey, who had received threats from other prisoners, including on the day before he was killed. Gedel, whom prison officers described as “perky” when they detained him after the attack, allegedly said “have a good night’s sleep Watkins lad” when he was taken past the cell where the former singer was receiving medical treatment. …