An inmate has said that former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins’ appearance “completely changed” during his time in prison, ahead of his death at HMP Wakefield.
Ian Watkins, 48, was serving a 29-year sentence for child sex offences, including the attempted rape of a baby. He was fatally attacked in his cell on Saturday morning, with two men now charged with his murder.
According to Wales Online, details about Watkins’ changed appearance were shared in the book Inside Wakefield Prison: Life Behind Bars in the Monster Mansion, written by Jonathan Levi and Emma French. The book features comments from both a former senior prison officer, Martin Baker, and an unnamed inmate.
Martin Baker, who started working at HMP Wakefield in 1999, said Watkins “had long, straggly hair” and looked “a bit scruffy.” He added that the singer was “lazy” and would sometimes refuse to go to work, preferring to stay in his cell drinking tea.
The unnamed inmate described Watkins as “a tall, thin male who dyes his thinning hair black.” He said the prison service even sells hair dye, allowing Watkins to keep up the habit.
via West Yorkshire Police
The prisoner also claimed that Watkins spent large sums on protection from other inmates. “Everyone sticks with like-minded people,” he said. “Gangsters don’t mix with paedophiles, and paedophiles don’t mix with rapists.”
Watkins was known to have survived other attacks during his sentence, but the most recent assault proved fatal. West Yorkshire Police confirmed his death and said detectives have charged two men, aged 25 and 43, with murder.
The inmate also explained how money exchanges work inside prison. He said that payments for protection or favours are handled through friends or family on the outside.
Watkins’ Lostprophets bandmate and his ex-girlfriend have also spoken out following his death.
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