Second man pleads not guilty to murdering Ian Watkins in prison
A second man has pleaded not guilty to murdering Lostprophets singer and convicted paedophile Ian Watkins in prison.
Watkins, who was serving a 35-year sentence after pleading guilty to 13 child sex offences in 2013, died at HMP Wakefield on October 11th, 2025.
An inquest later confirmed that the disgraced Welsh musician’s official cause of death was an incision to the neck caused by being stabbed.
Following his death, 43-year-old Samuel Dodsworth and 25-year-old Rashid Gedel were both charged with murder in relation to the death of Watkins.
In November, Dodsworth pleaded not guilty to murdering Watkins. He also denied having a makeshift knife in his possession on the day that Watkins was killed.
Now, Gedel has pleaded not guilty at Leeds Crown Court on February 13th, 2026, to murdering Watkins.
Like Dodsworth, he also pleaded not guilty to possessing a makeshift knife in prison.
Both Dodsworth and Gedel are set to stand trial over Watkins’ murder in May.
Watkins pled guilty in 2013 to the rape and sexual assault of a child who was under the age of 13, the conspiracy to rape a child, three counts of sexual assault involving children, seven involving taking, making or possessing obscene images of children, and one of possessing an extreme image involving a sex act on an animal.
Before his death, the former Lostprophets vocalist was previously attacked in Wakefield Prison in 2023 after three other inmates held him captive in a cell for six hours and stabbed him multiple times.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out Music Newsletter
All the latest music news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.