An inmate mocked Ian Watkins, the convicted Lostprophets pedophile, as he lay dying in his prison cell after being stabbed. The incident took place at HMP Wakefield, where Watkins, 48, was serving a 29-year sentence for child sexual offenses.

Rashid Gedel, 25, also known as Rico Gedel in court, and Samuel Dodsworth, 43, are currently standing trial at Leeds Crown Court on charges of murdering Watkins. Prosecutor Tom Storey KC informed the jury that Gedel allegedly attacked Watkins in his cell on the morning of October 11, inflicting three stab wounds using a makeshift bladed weapon, which Dodsworth purportedly later concealed.

Gedel reportedly taunted Watkins as prison officers escorted him back to his cell, even as staff were attending to Watkins’s injuries. Storey stated that the attack, carried out by Gedel, was part of a joint offense involving Dodsworth, who allegedly knew about the planned attack and assisted by disposing of the weapon used in the assault.

During the opening of the prosecution, Storey recounted how Gedel was escorted back to his cell on the second floor, passing by Watkins’s open cell door while officers were still providing first aid. Gedel allegedly callously remarked, “have a good night’s sleep, Watkins lad,” as he walked past.

Storey further detailed Gedel’s apparent amusement at the situation, noting that when questioned about the weapon, Gedel claimed to have used his hands, despite no visible marks or blood. Gedel’s clothing and shoes were later seized for examination.

In a separate incident, Watkins had been sentenced to 29 years in prison in December 2013, with an additional six years on license, for various sexual offenses, including the attempted rape of a fan’s baby. His depraved behavior was uncovered through the analysis of seized electronic devices during a police operation at his residence.

Watkins had previously been hospitalized after an attack in 2023 and was additionally sentenced to 10 months in 2019 for possessing a mobile phone while in prison.