Ex-Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins applies to appeal

The disgraced rock star and former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins lodged an application for permission to appeal. Watkins was handed a 35-year sentence for a string of child sex offences, including a custodial term of 29 years and a further six on licence.

Watkins, 36, was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court last month.

He confessed to 13 offences and was described as a committed and determined paedophile.

His two accomplices, Woman A and Woman B, were jailed for 14 years and 16 years respectively.

Former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins, who was given a 35-year sentence for a string of child sex offences, has lodged an application for permission to appeal, the Judicial Office has confirmed.

Paedophile singer Ian Watkins started his 29-year-custodial jail sentence inside a prison that is home to some of Britain's most notorious sex offenders and killers.

While on remand he was at HMP Parc in Bridgend, but his permanent home will now be HMP Wakefield in Yorkshire, the largest high security prison in western Europe and nicknamed "Monster Mansion."

Other prisoners serving substantial sentences at the facility include notorious paedophiles such as April Jones' killer Mark Bridger and Steven Barker who murdered 17-month old Peter Connelly - also known as Baby P.

The prison was also where serial killer Dr Harold Shipman hanged himself in 2004.

Read: Ian Watkins' family 'hope singer can be rehabilitated'

The family of paedophile Ian Watkins will "not totally cast him aside", the singer's stepdad John Davies said, according to The Daily Mail.

Davies, a Baptist Minister, told the paper that while he could "cheerfully spend an hour knocking [Watkins] around a cell," the family are hoping the convicted child abuser can be rehabilitated.

He said: "The police said he wouldn’t think twice about hanging you or anyone else out to dry, why are you bothering, why would you want to stand by him?

"‘I said, because he is my stepson. Because it gives me an opportunity to seek some healing in a very broken family.’"

Mr Davies said his "heart ached" for his wife, who he said is seriously unwell after a kidney transplant.

"Ian had a very strong relationship with his mother. It is a very deep bond," he said. "My heart aches for any individual who has been drawn into this and been affected by it. And only time will tell who those victims are."

Read: Lostprophets' Ian Watkins given 35 year sentence

Like Jimmy Savile, Watkins abused his celebrity status to get to his victims. A former detective who worked on the ITV investigation into Savile, has become closely involved in this case.

Mark Williams-Thomas is convinced that many more victims will now come to light following Watkins' conviction. The LostProphets star performed on a world stage, but were there any clues about his dark side? John Willats has been finding out.

South Wales Police and two other forces are under investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission over the handling of complaints made to them about former Lostprophets front man Ian Watkins.

One of those who first blew the whistle on him was his former lover Joanne Mjadzelics. But she claims her complaints fell on deaf ears. Nicola Hendy reports.

Welsh rock singer Ian Watkins has been sentenced to 35 years - 29 of which he'll spend in prison - for a string of horrific sex attacks on very young children. Richard Morgan reports.

Independent Police Commissioner for Wales Jan Williams told ITV News that the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has three investigations into police forces in South Wales, South Yorkshire and Bedfordshire looking at their responses to allegations concerning Watkins.

She said the IPCC "owed" it to the wider public to determine whether Watkins could have been brought to justice sooner.

Sentencing Watkins, Mr Justice Royce described him as a 'sexual predator' and told him he was a danger to the public.

He said that Watkins told the author of a pre-sentence report of a 'desire to shock' and the report concluded Watkins presented a 'high risk.'

Trial judge Mr Justice Royce told Ian Watkins during sentencing that the case was one of the most horrific he has seen in court. Condemning the lead singer's sex crimes, some too distressing to report, in the strongest possible terms, he said Watkins was a dangerous sexual predator.

"Those who have appeared in these courts over many years see a large number of horrific cases. This case, however, breaks new ground. You, Watkins, achieved fame and success as the lead singer of Lostprophets.

"You had many fawning fans. That gave you power. You knew you could use that power to induce young female fans to help satisfy your insatiable lust and take part in the sexual abuse of their own children.

"Away from the highlights of your public performances lay a dark and sinister side. I am satisfied that you are a deeply corrupting influence, you are highly manipulative, you are a sexual predator, you are dangerous."

Read: Watkins sentenced to 35 years for sex abuse

Watch: Singer's former girlfriend 'warned' police of abuse

More: Complaint claims police knew of Ian Watkins abuse from December 2008