Singer denies child sex charges

The singer of the Lostprophets Ian Watkins today denied 24 sex charges including allegedly raping a child.He appeared before Cardiff Crown Court via video-link from Parc Prison, Bridgend.

A statement from him was read outside court where he said: "I want to thank my family, friends and all the fans for their support throughout this whole ordeal. Your support gives me strength, I deny all the allegations made against me and will continue to fight to the end to clear my name."

Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins is to appear in court today over allegations of plotting to rape a baby.

The 35-year-old vocalist is charged with conspiring to rape a child under the age of 13, and five other sex abuse charges.

Watkins was remanded in custody at previous hearing on December 31.

Two women, aged 20 and 24 from Doncaster and Bedford respectively, who cannot be named for legal reasons, face similar charges.

The hearing will be the first chance for Watkins to formally plead.

Police who dealt with the arrest of rock singer Ian Watkins over an alleged plot to rape a baby are under investigation over whether they acted quickly enough.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is looking at whether South Wales Police "failed to take appropriate and timely action" over information received about the Lostprophets frontman.

The 35-year-old vocalist was arrested in December with two women. He is accused of conspiring to rape a child under the age of 13 and five other sex abuse charges.

Rocker Ian Watkins has reappeared before a court to face allegations of plotting to rape a baby.

The 35-year-old vocalist, from the band Lostprophets, was arrested with two women earlier this month.

As well as being charged with conspiring to rape a child under the age of 13, Watkins faces five other sex abuse charges.

They include conspiring to engage in sexual activity with two young children as well as making, downloading and distributing child pornography and accessing "extreme pornography" - relating to animals.

During a previous hearing at Cardiff Magistrates Court, Watkins' legal team said the singer would be denying the charges against him.

Today, Watkins and his co-defendants appeared in Cardiff Crown Court via video-link.

All three only spoke to confirm their names at the preliminary hearing, a formality in the legal process, which lasted less than 10 minutes.

Watkins was refused bail and remanded in custody with a plea and case management hearing scheduled at Cardiff Crown Court for March 11.

Rock star Ian Watkins is to appear at Cardiff Crown Court today to face allegations of plotting to rape a child.

The 35-year-old lead vocalist of Lostprophets was charged along with two women earlier this month.

South Wales Police said all three had been arrested as part of Operation Globe - which investigates allegations of child abuse. The two women cannot be named for legal reasons.

Watkins faces a total of six sex abuse charges, including conspiring to engage in sexual activity with two young children, as well as making, downloading and distributing child pornography, and assessing "extreme pornography."

The defending barrister of Lostprophets lead singer Ian Watkins has said his client would be denying alleged sex charges made against him and argued that his celebrity status could help to enforce bail conditions.

Tom Crowther added that Lostphrophets had cancelled a planned tour and that Watkins had no previous convictions.Mr Crowther said Watkin's mother, who was sitting in the public gallery, was willing to put forward her house as a surety.

Ian Watkins, lead singer of rock band Lostprophets, was remanded in custody today after appearing in court to face child sex abuse allegations.

The 35-year-old is alleged to have conspired with another woman to rape a one-year-old girl, Cardiff magistrates heard.

He also stands accused of two incidents of conspiring to engage in sexual touching with two young children.

The conspiracy charges related to a period between May 1 and Monday, while the indecent images related to a period between August 12 and Monday.

The lead singer from the Welsh rock band Lostprophets has been remanded in custody after he appeared before Cardiff magistrates charged with sexual offences against children.

35-year-old Ian Watkins from Pontypridd was charged with six offences. He appeared in court wearing a black coat with the collar turned up and a grey hooded sweatshirt. His relatives also attended. Two co-defendents, both women, face a further 11 charges between them.

South Wales Police say he has been charged with conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a female under 13 and possession and distribution of indecent images of children. All were remanded in custody until 31st of December, when they'll appear at Cardiff Crown Court.

Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins has also been charged with the possession and or distribution of indecent images of children.

Detective Inspector Peter Doyle, of South Wales Police, has urged "anyone who has any concerns or information which they think may be relevant to contact us."

He added: "Safeguarding children involved in such cases is always a high priority and as such measures have already been taken."