Warning: This article contains discussion of child sex abuse which some readers may find distressing
A former inmate of Lostprophets pedophile Ian Watkins has shared how every prisoner was aware of his wicked crimes, ultimately making him a 'dead man walking'.
The 48-year-old died a brutal death from inside his own cell at HMP Wakefield, which is located a 25-minute drive south of Leeds, a city in northern England, on Saturday morning (October 11).
It is understood that the convicted pedophile, whose crimes included the attempted rape of a baby, had his throat slashed after inmates were released from their cells.
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Despite efforts of first responders, he was pronounced dead at the scene due to blood loss.
The prison that he was incarcerated in was a maximum security facility that he shared some of the most violent people in the UK, according to one prison officer.
Speaking under anonymity, they told the Daily Mail: "There are so many sex offenders in Wakefield, along with some of the most violent people in the country. It's a very dangerous mix.
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"With sex offenders, you could have people jailed for date rape all the way through to prolific child abusers, who are beyond any form of rehabilitation, mixing with violent criminals, murderers and gangsters."
However, unlike many of the sex offenders locked up at HMP Wakefield, Watkins' crimes were known by all.
"Watkins was effectively a dead man walking from the moment he arrived in Wakefield," one former inmate said, per The Mirror.
"There is an unwritten rule that you don't ask people what crime they did, but everyone knew that Watkins attempted to rape a baby.
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"He had been attacked before and was abused every day. He was a loner, self-centered and remorseless. He had no real friends and spent a lot of time on his own in his room."
The Welshman's death came 12 years into his 35-year sentence - which meant he was halfway through the length of time he would have spent behind bars.
"In your case that means you will have to serve 2/3 of the custodial term before you can be considered for release by the Parole Board. If you are released you will remain on licence for the extended period," Judge Justice Royce said in sentencing.
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Two men, 25-year-old Rashid Gedel and 43-year-old Samuel Dodsworth, have since been charged with the musician's murder - which saw the prison erupt in celebration after news traveled that Watkins had died.
A partner of one serving prisoner told the Daily Mail: "He said that there was cheering when word spread that Watkins had been killed. All of the prisoners were locked in their cells, but word spread quickly. He was hated because his crimes were so sick."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues or want to speak to someone in confidence regarding the welfare of a child, the Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and receives calls from throughout the United States, Canada, US Virgin Islands, Guam and Puerto Rico.
Joe Yates