Ian Watkins Received Prison Threats Demanding £500 Days Before HMP Wakefield Stabbing

Paedophile singer Ian Watkins, formerly of Lostprophets, received letters demanding money and threatening violence in the days before his death. Watkins was fatally stabbed on 11 October in his cell at HMP Wakefield, where he was serving a 29-year sentence for child sexual offences.

Leeds Crown Court was told that letters addressed to Watkins described him as a 'snitch' and demanded £500 for a 'hi-fi, lamp and fan'. One letter warned: 'If you don't pay by then, I promise you, I will get your head cracked open, you snitch.'

Rico Gedel, 25, and Samuel Dodsworth, 44, both deny murder and possession of a makeshift knife within the prison.

Prison officer Simon Rothwell, who had been stationed on Watkins' wing for approximately ten years, described Watkins as 'vulnerable' due to other prisoners being aware of his finances. Rothwell stated Watkins had disclosed receiving 'quite threatening' letters the day before his death. The officer advised Watkins to self-isolate, but Watkins reportedly declined, stating 'no I think I'll be OK.'

Witness statements from workmen at HMP Wakefield detailed seeing Watkins shortly after the incident. One plumber observed Watkins holding his neck, with 'blood on the right hand side of his face'. Another workman described Watkins as 'covered in blood from the neck down' with a 'huge open wound' to his collarbone and jaw.

CCTV footage presented to the jury reportedly shows alleged murderer Gedel leaving the vicinity of Watkins' cell after the attack and engaging in a brief conversation with co-defendant Dodsworth. Seconds later, Watkins emerged from his cell, appearing to be covered in blood, before retreating back inside.

Watkins was jailed in December 2013 after admitting to multiple sex offences, including the attempted rape of an infant. The trial continues.