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Lostprophets Ian Watkins Handed 35 Year Sentence

The 36-year old learned his fate after pleading guilty to child sex offences...

Former Lostprophetsfrontman Ian Watkins has been given a 35-year sentence at Cardiff Crown Court today (December 18).
The singer - who [uuid=563d00d7-4143-451d-a36f-f937a38f1b87]pleaded guilty[/uuid] to a number of child sex offences in November - will spend 29 years of his sentence in prison, while the remaining six years will be served on licence, the BBC reports.
Watkins must serve a minimum of two-thirds of his sentence before he can be considered for release.
His two co-defendants - who are the mothers of the abused children - were also jailed for 14 and 17 years. Their identities remain a secret in order to protect their young victims.
Before announcing their fate, Mr Justice Royce said: "What you three did plumbs new depths of depravity, Those who have appeared in these courts over many years, see here, a large number of horrific cases.
"This case breaks new ground. Any decent person... will experience shock, revulsion and incredulity."
The judge went on: "I have no hesitation in concluding there is a serious risk to the public," adding that Watkins took "evident delight" in abusing small children and exhibited "an almost complete lack of remorse".
"Any decent person looking at or listening to material here would experience shock, revulsion, anger and incredulity."
Prosecutor Christopher Clee QC also revealed to the court how Watkins had made a series of phone calls the day after entering his guilty plea (November 27), explaining how he planned to deny his guilt.
Clee recalled that Watkins said: "It was like either me go up there and say, 'Come on, it wasn't that bad, nobody got hurt'.
"I do my charm or do I end up making things worse for myself or do I just say I was off my head and can't remember?"
"I'm going to put a statement on the 18th now just to say it was mega lols, I don't know what everyone is getting so freaked out about."
The following day, Watkins said in a second call: "There was no medical evidence, nobody was harmed at all. I'm not a paedophile, I'm not.
"You know I plead[ed] guilty just to avoid a trial, not realising, 'Hang on, that makes me look a bit guilty.' But I would never harm anybody."
Earlier this month, [uuid=cfcdd8bc-66f0-4fb5-8d82-2deeb9144762]Watkins' ex-bandmates stated[/uuid] they were "heartbroken, angry, and disgusted" by his crimes.

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