Lostprophets Singer Arrested On Child Sex Offences

Ian Watkins, lead singer of Welsh rock band Lostprophets, has been arrested in the UK and charged with child sex offences.

According to the Daily Mail, The frontman has been accused of conspiring to rape a child under the age of 13 and has been remanded in custody after appearing in court. The 35-year-old, who will deny the accusations, was also charged with possession, creating and distribution of “extreme pornography”, with 40 images of children being investigated by police. As part of the ongoing investigation, two women – aged 20 and 24 – have been charged with “similar offences”.

Child abuse cases are attracting a lot of media coverage in the UK currently in the fall-out of the Sir Jimmy Saville allegations, where the late BBC personality and national treasure is accused of systematic and widespread child sex abuse and rape.

The Guardian points out the Welsh police issued a press release asking for information in conjunction with the arrest.

Lostprophets are one of Wales' most successful musical exports, having sold an estimated 3.5 million albums worldwide thanks to youth anthems Last Train Home and Burn Burn. Watkins, a founding member, has been singing with the band since 1997.