Men face court over murder of pedophile rock star

Two men accused of murdering former Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins in a British prison have appeared in court.

Rashid Gedel, 25, and Samuel Dodsworth, 43, both of HMP Wakefield, appeared at Leeds Magistrates’ Court after being charged with murder over the alleged attack on Saturday morning.

Emergency services were sent to the prison in West Yorkshire but Watkins, 48, who was serving a 29-year sentence for child sex offences, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dodsworth and Gedel appeared in court separately on Monday, and during brief hearings, both spoke only to confirm their names and dates of birth.

District Judge Anthony Dunne said Dodsworth’s lawyer had filled out a form for the court and the details set out in his interview outlined his case.

In the form prepared for Gedel, who ranked second, it was stated that there would be no indication of confession or defense at this stage.

District Judge Dunne remanded both men in custody until their next appearance at Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday.

He told Dodsworth, who appeared first: “The charge against you means that this case must be sent to the crown court as soon as possible.”