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Artist News Legal
Ian Watkins’ appeal application refused
By Andy Malt | Published on Thursday 24 July 2014
Former Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins’ bid to appeal against the length of his sentence on child abuse charges has been rejected.
As previously reported, Watkins was sentenced to 29 years in prison, plus an additional six years on licence, after pleading guilty to charges including the attempted rape an eleven month old baby, and making and possessing images of the sexual abuse of children.
He did not contest his conviction, but argued that he had been treated too harshly when sentenced. However, a panel of three judges at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday refused him leave to appeal, along with one of his two unnamed co-defendants.
Watkins’ representative Sally O’Neill argued in court that her client’s sentence should be reduced because the singer’s offences were “not the worst that can happen”.
However, ruling on the application to appeal, judge Christopher Pitchford said: “These were offences against infant children of such shocking depravity that a very lengthy sentence of imprisonment was demanded, not withstanding the absence of physical injury. It is not demonstrated that the total sentence of 29 years together with the extended licence period was arguably manifestly excessive. Accordingly, the application in his case is refused”.
Meanwhile, an Independent Police Complaint Commission inquiry into claims that police did not do enough to bring Watkins to justice earlier continues. In May, seven officers from three police forces were served with gross misconduct notices.
