Warning: This article contains discussion of serious child abuse which some readers may find distressing.
A woman who was imprisoned for giving her baby daughter to the paedophile singer Ian Watkins has made an appeal for parole.
Watkins was killed over the weekend (11 October) in HMP Wakefield, with two fellow inmates arrested and charged with his murder and summoned to appear before a court, their trial date has provisionally been set for 5 May next year.
It was not the first time the disgraced Lostprophets singer had been attacked in prison, with the convicted child sex offender previously ending up in hospital.
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He had been serving a 29-year prison sentence for his crimes, which included engaging in sexual activity with a child and the attempted rape of an 11-month-old baby.
The mother of a baby Watkins abused was sentenced in 2013 for giving the paedophile her child to be abused and have indecent photos taken.
During sentencing for Watkins' crimes Mr Justice Royce said any 'decent person' would 'experience shock, revulsion and incredulity' at what Watkins had done, but said the woman, who is referred to as 'Woman B' in court documents, and her co-defendants 'plumbed new depths of depravity'.
'Woman B' was released in 2021 due to the automatic release point of her sentence but returned to prison later that year as her licence was revoked.
The Daily Mail reports that she had been lying about relationships and there had been concerns over 'other behaviour', and a parole hearing in 2023 found that she had 'continually failed to disclose essential information to her probation officer'.
It was decided that the parole panel was 'not satisfied that re-release at this point would be safe for the protection of the public', so behind bars she remains, though the Mail reports that she has another parole hearing coming up which could result in her being freed.
In a statement provided to the Mail, the Parole Board confirmed that her review had been referred to them and the standard process would be followed.
"Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community," a spokesperson said in a statement.
"A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.
"Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead up to an oral hearing.
"Evidence from witnesses such as probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements may be given at the hearing.
"It is standard for the prisoner and witnesses to be questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more. Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority."
LADbible Group has contacted the Parole Board for further comment.
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.
Joe Harker