Ian Watkins’s ex-girlfriend has said she is surprised it took so long for the convicted pedophile to be attacked in prison, as it was alleged he was targeted by prisoners who had ‘recently’ arrived at HMP Wakefield.
The former Lostprophets singer is said to be in critical condition in hospital after being held hostage and ‘tortured’ with a knife by three fellow inmates for six hours.
Reportedly, the 46-year-old – who, according to visitors, is still ‘prancing like a star’ behind bars – was only released after a ‘Tornado’ team of specially trained riot police officers hurled stun grenades into the cell to break up the incident. .
Sources claim that two of the people who took the depraved former rocker hostage were ‘murderers’, with reports suggesting the attack was due to take place on a day when fewer staff were working at the prison.
Watkins was sentenced to 35 years in prison in 2013 for 13 offenses against children, including the attempted rape of an 11-month-old baby.
Ian Watkins, pictured here in his police mugshot, was attacked by prisoners at HMP Wakefield on Saturday
His ex-girlfriend Joanne Mjadzelics, pictured here at Cardiff Crown Court in 2015, says she was ‘amazed’ it had taken him so long to be attacked behind bars
That came years after Joanne Mjadzelics repeatedly warned police about the singer’s vile tendencies but was charged with possessing indecent images of a child, sending vile photos to the singer and demanding he send her illegal pornography.
She was later cleared of all charges after telling jurors that she had tried to frame and trick her former lover into revealing his crimes.
Talking to the Mirror in the aftermath of his assault in prison, the 47-year-old revealed she had no concerns about his well-being or health.
She told the publication: “My only reaction is simply that I can’t believe it has taken this long, especially in Wakefield Prison.’
Visitors to Category A Prison in West Yorkshire today expressed similar surprise that he had been unharmed for so long.
One woman said, “Watkins is still hopping around there like he’s a star.
“He is always groomed to perfection and his hair is flawless.
“He has a girlfriend who visits him regularly – not the one he had when he sang.
“She’s just a young thinker in her twenties.”
In the attack, which began around 9am on Saturday, three “heavy” inmates dragged him into a cell which was then barricaded by the gang.
A woman who visited the prison on Sunday said: ‘There was one from Liverpool and one from Bradford who attacked him. I don’t know where the other one came from.
“My son said no one knows why they did it. Two of the men were murderers. I don’t know what the third was for.
“He was torturing him with the three of us. They put him in a cell and held him for six hours. They tortured him with the knife. They stabbed him with the knife.
“They all talk about it in prison. They said they were surprised it happened. He’s been in jail quite a bit, so they must have bid their time.
“The three who did it are all in lockdown now. Then they will be deported somewhere else.’
The former Lostprophets singer, pictured here performing at the V Music Festival in 2011, was sentenced to 35 years in prison in 2013 for multiple sex offenses against children as young as one
Watkins, pictured here performing in Budapest in 2011, is believed to be in critical condition in hospital after the attack
Lostprophets members (from left) Lee Gaze, Stuart Richardson, Mike Lewis, Ian Watkins and Luke Johnson. The band broke up after Watkins’ depraved transgressions came to light
A man who visited the prison added: ‘I just had a short conversation with my son about it. It’s just begun. Three men ran into his cell and that was it.
“I just heard he was scammed.”
Another mom added “He was cut” here as she gestured around her eyes. “I heard that those who did had only recently arrived in prison,” she continued.
A source told it Sun that Watkins was heard ‘screaming’ and fearing for his life, while the entire West Yorkshire prison wing was quickly sealed off.
The source added: ‘Clearly Watkins isn’t popular for who he is – and walks around with a huge target on his back.
“They got it on a Saturday, which is generally quieter with less staff and it seems to be planned.
“People heard he was in bad shape when he came out, but he will probably survive.
“He was taken to Leeds and was still in hospital.”
A prison service spokesperson said: ‘Police are investigating an incident that took place at HMP Wakefield on Saturday. We cannot comment further while the police investigate.’
Watkins was sentenced to 35 years behind bars after admitting to a heinous string of crimes, including the attempted rape of an 11-month-old baby, plus 10 others after preying on fans.
He also admitted conspiring to rape a child, three counts of sexual assault involving children, seven counts of taking, making or possessing indecent images of children and one of possessing an extremely pornographic image of a sexual act with an animal.
A source described the moment when Watkins was held hostage in prison (pictured, stock image), saying the pedophile was ‘screaming’ and ‘fearing for his life’
He changed his plea early in his trial, but claimed he couldn’t remember the “depraved” abuse because he was high on crystal meth.
Since the 35-year term was handed down, he has received an additional 10 months in prison for possession of a mobile phone.
At a hearing for that crime, he recounted how he was locked up with “the worst of the worst” and said someone could “sneak up behind me and slit my throat.”
The singer – a former boyfriend of BBC radio and television presenter Fearne Cotton – pleaded guilty to sex offenses involving the children of two female fans, who were sentenced to 14 and 17 years in prison for allowing the offence.
Prosecutor QC Chris Clee told Cardiff Crown Court in 2013: ‘Ian Watkins was the lead singer of a successful band called the Lostprophets.
“He was also a determined and committed pedophile who engaged in serious sex crimes involving two infants.”
Mr Clee also gave details of a sickening 17 minute video featuring Watkins and one of the baby’s mothers.
He said that camcorder footage had been made in a London hotel room showing Watkins performing a sexual act on the child.
Judge Royce, who sentenced Watkins, said the case took “new directions” and his actions “plunged into new depths of depravity.”
The Category A Victorian prison is home to some of Britain’s most dangerous offenders, some of whom will never be released.
Inmates at HMP Wakefield include triple child killer Damien Bendall, White House Farm spree killer Jeremy Bamber and Reynhard Sinaga who drugged and raped more than 100 young men.