FROMER Lostprophets frontman, Ian Watkins, was allegedly taken hostage and brutally attacked in Wakefield prison over his guitar lessons to other inmates. The attack reportedly occurred on Saturday and left the 46-year-old in critical condition in the hospital
According to The Sun, jealousy among inmates escalated when they learned that Watkins was offering music lessons to fellow prisoners. The Mirror reported that three inmates planned the attack, with two of them being murderers. They waited until weekend staffing levels kicked in, and then locked Watkins in his cell before beating and stabbing him in the neck during a nearly six-hour ordeal.
The severity of Watkins’ injuries necessitated emergency treatment by paramedics on the prison estate. Due to the dangerous situation, the prison had to assemble a specialised “Tornado Crew,” trained in hostage situations, before attempting to free him. Wakefield prison houses a significant number of inmates serving life sentences or long terms, making it a challenging environment.
A source revealed to The Sun that Watkins’ high profile contributed to the attack, as some inmates believed attacking a well-known figure could lead to a transfer to another prison. Additionally, jealousy over his younger girlfriend, who regularly visited him, was cited as a possible factor in the violent incident.
A Prison Service spokesperson confirmed that police were investigating the incident and refrained from further comments.
Ian Watkins was sentenced to 35 years in prison in 2013 for 13 offences against children, including the attempted rape of a baby. He attempted to appeal his sentence in 2014 but was denied, with the judge emphasising the shocking depravity of his crimes.
As the frontman of Lostprophets, Watkins achieved international fame in his 20s, selling millions of albums worldwide and performing for massive arena crowds. The Welsh rock band, formed in 1997, released five studio albums, with one reaching number one in the UK and two others entering the Top 10 charts in the US.
The incident at Wakefield prison has brought renewed attention to Watkins’ disturbing past and the challenges of managing high-profile inmates within the prison system. Investigations into the attack are ongoing, while concerns about the safety and security of both inmates and staff in the prison are raised.
