Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins has today pleaded not guilty to 23 child sex offences and 1 bestiality charge, including 2 counts of rape of a 1-year-old child and conspiring to rape another of the same age, in a hearing at Cardiff Crown Court.
The frontman appeared via video link from Parc Prison, Bridgend where he is being held on remand, while the 20 and 24-year-old women also charged with the crimes were videoed from Eastwood Parp Prison in Gloucester. The trio denied all charges, including the taking and the making of indecent images of children and 1 charge relating to an alleged image which was “grossly offensive, disgusting or otherwise of an obscene character” involving a person and an animal, as well as the rape and conspiracy to rape charges.
35-year-old Watkins, who was arrested last December and has been in custody since, has “furiously denied” the allegations and today released a statement through his lawyers:
“I want to thank my family, friends and all the fans for the continued support throughout this whole ordeal. Your support gives my strength. I deny all the allegations made against me and I will continue to fight to clear my name.”
The case will appear before Cardiff Crown Court again on Thursday and is expected to go to trial by the end of the year.
Watch: Lostprophets – Jesus Walks
http://youtu.be/vApHVSwL2ug
(via WalesOnline)
