Man accused of killing LostProphets singer Ian Watkins made chilling comment to him after 'slitting his throat'
Warning: This article contains discussion of child abuse which some readers may find distressing.
The man accused of killing LostProphets singer Ian Watkins in prison issued a chilling final remark to the paedophile after slitting his throat.
Watkins was incarcerated at Britain's highest security prison, HMP Wakefield, and was in the midst of a 29-year jail sentence when he was murdered in October 2025.
In 2013, the Welsh rock star was handed the significant sentence for his horrific crimes which included the attempted rape of a baby.
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He admitted 13 offences, such as three counts of sexual assault involving children, seven involving taking, making or possessing indecent images of children and one of possessing an extreme image involving a sex act on an animal.
During his time behind bars, Watkins was the subject of a number of attacks from fellow prisoners, with paedophiles often targeted by other criminals who want to deliver their own form of justice.
But Rashid (Rico) Gedel, the 25-year-old man who is accused of killing Watkins, allegedly said that 'if I'm going to do life for murder, I'm going to make sure it's worth it'.
He and fellow prisoner Samuel Dodsworth are accused of teaming up to kill the disgraced performer, but both deny the charges of murder and possessing an offensive weapon in prison.
Gedel is said to have slashed Watkins three times in his neck and head, causing catastrophic blood loss which saw him pass away in hospital after entering cardiac arrest.
As he passed Watkins' cell after being detained by prison guards, Gedel reportedly said: "Have a good night's sleep, Watkins lad."
He also later remarked to a guard that they 'could be talking to someone famous', while also suggesting that it was 'God' who inflicted Watkins' fatal injuries, although he admitted that he was jealous because the 'nonce prisoners' were 'treated like royalty'.
In yesterday's (7 May) court case, prosecutor Tom Storey, KC said: "There are some criminal offences which are so heinous that they defy belief, these include the more extreme examples of child sex offences.
"There are those who perhaps believe that the punishments meted out by our courts upon people who commit such offences do not go far enough.
"But we have not had the death penalty in this country since 1965, and when we did, it was reserved for offences of murder and treason."
He added: "Nevertheless, because of the particular stigma which attaches to those who commit child sex offences, even when they are sentenced to decades in prison for their crimes, they remain targets for those who take the view that their punishment is not severe enough, that imprisonment is somehow too good for them.
"And on occasion, some people decide simply to take the law into their own hands and to enact their own form of punishment upon such offenders."
He suggested that it was 'clear' on the evidence that it was Gedel who murdered Watkins with a home-made bladed weapon, due to his comments and the presence of Watkins' DNA on his blood-soaked tracksuit and trainers.
The trial continues.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence regarding the welfare of a child, contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000, 10am-8pm Monday to Friday. If you are a child seeking advice and support, call Childline for free on 0800 1111, 24/7.
James Moorhouse