Second inmate accused of Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins’ murder denies charge

Rashid Gedel, 25, known in court as Rico Gedel, became the second serving convict to deny murdering Watkins – his fellow defendant Samuel Dodsworth, 43, rejected the charge at an earlier hearing

A second prisoner has entered a not guilty plea to the murder of disgraced former Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins behind bars. The fallen rock star died following an alleged assault last October at HMP Wakefield, where he was serving a 29-year stretch for child sex crimes.

On Friday, Rashid Gedel, 25, known in court as Rico Gedel, became the second serving convict to deny murdering Watkins. His fellow defendant Samuel Dodsworth, 43, rejected the charge at a November hearing, appearing via video link from jail.

Gedel had previously refused to attend hearings through the video connection, insisting he wanted to appear physically in court.

He was transported to Leeds Crown Court for Friday’s proceedings, where he pleaded not guilty to murder and possessing a “makeshift knife” whilst imprisoned.

Gedel and Dodsworth face charges of killing Watkins at HMP Wakefield on October 11. Their trial is scheduled to commence on May 5.

Watkins received a 29-year jail term in December 2013, with an additional six years on licence, after admitting to numerous sex offences – including attempting to rape a fan’s infant.

His arrest followed the execution of a drugs warrant at his Pontypridd residence on September 21 2012, during which officers seized numerous computers, mobile phones and storage devices.

Examination of the equipment revealed the singer’s twisted conduct.

Watkins had previously been hospitalised after suffering an attack in 2023. In 2019, he was sentenced to an extra 10 months behind bars after being found guilty of having a mobile phone in prison.

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