Rock star Ian Watkins guilty of attempted baby rape

Rock singer Ian Watkins has been labelled as a “determined and committed paedophile” after he pleaded guilty to a string of sex offences, including the attempted rape of a baby.

The drug-crazed former lead singer with the band Lostprophets plotted the abuse with two mothers in a series of text and online messages in which he spoke of his desire to “cross the line” and to intoxicate one of his victims by blowing crystal- meth smoke into the child’s face.

Watkins, aged 36, from Pontypridd, south Wales, pleaded guilty to a string of sex offences he had previously denied in a last- minute plea change ahead of what would have been his trial at Cardiff Crown Court.

The charges included sexually touching a one- year-old and encouraging a crazed groupie to abuse her own child during a sordid webcam chat.

Watkins also admitted possessing and making child porn as well as launching the plot to rape a baby.

He was originally charged with actual rape but insisted sex with the child did not take place during a drug-fuelled binge he claims he was on at the time.

He originally faced 24 separate charges, including two of actual child rape.

He pleaded guilty to 11 charges yesterday, nine of which were unchanged, and two of attempted baby rape.

Prosecutor Christopher Clee told the judge that both of the attempted rape admissions were accepted, partly to spare a jury the ordeal of having to watch sordid video evidence.

Prosecutors decided not to pursue the matter once his plea had changed, with Mr Clee saying the extent of the attempted rape was so serious a conviction the other charge would not have made a difference to the sentence.

Mr Justice Royce told the jury their services were no longer required.

Watkins will be sentenced on Dec 18 at the same court.