A prisoner accused of murdering the disgraced former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins boasted to guards that they "could be talking to someone famous" after stabbing him in the head and neck with a homemade knife, a court has heard.
Attack at HMP Wakefield
Rico Gedel, 25, carried out the attack on Watkins, who was serving a 29-year sentence for child sexual offences, in his cell at HMP Wakefield, a high-security prison, on 11 October, Leeds Crown Court heard. Gedel then handed the makeshift weapon to fellow prisoner Samuel Dodsworth, 44, who disposed of it, prosecutor Tom Storey KC told the jury at the opening of the prisoners' murder trial.
The attack, which occurred moments after Watkins' cell door had been opened that morning, lasted about 20 seconds, with Dodsworth acting as a lookout, Storey said. When asked after the attack whom he thought was responsible, Gedel replied: "God."
Watkins' Final Words
In the moments before his death, when officers who tried to save his life asked who had attacked him, Watkins "said something to the effect of 'that little black fella'", Storey told the court. Watkins was a "particularly notorious and high-profile" prisoner who had received threats from other inmates, including on the day before he was killed.
Gedel, whom prison officers described as "perky" when they detained him after the attack, allegedly said "have a good night's sleep Watkins lad" when he was taken past the cell where the former singer was receiving medical treatment.
Jealousy of 'Nonce Prisoners'
Gedel told police he was jealous of "nonce prisoners" because they "got treated like royalty," the court heard. He thought it was disgusting to share a wing with sex offenders at HMP Wakefield, often labelled "monster mansion" because of the number of high-profile prisoners.
Though the stabbing was carried out by one man, prosecutors say the attack was "a joint offence" between the two defendants. Gedel and Dodsworth deny murder and possession of a makeshift knife in prison.
Sequence of Events
The court heard Gedel had been moved into the same wing as Watkins and Dodsworth the day before the attack and "coincidentally" placed in the cell next to Watkins. On the morning of Watkins' death, prison officers started unlocking cells on B wing after 9am. Gedel left his cell, but Watkins chose to remain inside.
Storey said: "At this time Gedel was, in all likelihood, waiting for a moment when the prison officers on the landing were out of sight, and when he would have an opportunity to carry out the planned attack on Mr Watkins."
CCTV showed Gedel entering Watkins' cell just before 9.20am and leaving 20 seconds later, before walking toward Dodsworth and passing him something. Dodsworth glanced at the item and put it in the pocket of his jogging bottoms, jurors heard.
Aftermath
Footage showed Watkins emerging briefly from his cell with blood visible on the neck of his T-shirt. Two workmen carrying out maintenance work in the prison saw Watkins holding his hand to his neck and bleeding from a wound. They signalled for help, and three prison officers ran toward Watkins' cell, where he was bleeding from his injuries. One officer used his radio to summon urgent help while pressing a towel against a "particularly large wound" to the side of Watkins' neck.
Watkins, from Merthyr Tydfil in Wales, collapsed onto his bed and lost consciousness. Paramedics were unable to resuscitate him, and he was declared dead just before 10.15am. The trial continues.
