boxing day 2012: Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins charged with child sex offences: the 35-year-old will appear in court today

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins charged with child sex offences: the 35-year-old will appear in court today

Ian Watkins, 35, arrested as part of ongoing police investigation

Charged with conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with girl under 13

Also charged with possession and distribution of of indecent images

Singer to appear before magistrates in Cardiff today

By Mario Ledwith

PUBLISHED: 03:51 EST, 19 December 2012 | UPDATED: 06:42 EST, 19 December 2012

Ian Watkins, 35, pictured with former girlfriend Fearne Cotton, is charged with a number of child sex offences and will appear before magistrates in Cardiff

Charged: Ian Watkins, 35, pictured with former girlfriend Fearne Cotton, is charged with a number of child sex offences and will appear before magistrates in Cardiff

The lead singer of rock band Lostprophets, who used to date Radio 1 DJ and TV presenter Fearne Cotton, has been charged with child sex offences.

Vocalist Ian Watkins is charged with conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a girl below the age of 13, as well as the distribution of indecent images of children.

The 35-year-old, from Pontypridd, Wales, was arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into child sex offences.

Watkins dated Cotton for less than a year in 2005, although the pair are thought to have remained friends and were pictured together in 2008.

South Wales Police took the decision to release the rock star's name in order to further assist inquiries.

Two unnamed women, aged 20 and 24, from Doncacster and Bedford, have also been charged with 'similar offences'.

All three were questioned by police at Cardiff Bay police station.

Lostprophets, whose most successful hit is Last Train Home, are one of the most successful bands to have emerged from Wales in recent times, selling around 3.5 million albums worldwide.

The band was formed in Pontypridd.

Weapons, Lostprophets's fifth studio album, was released in April and was supported by a UK tour.

But while the band once sold out Wembley arena and headlined major festivals, such as Download, their success has waned in recent years.

Watkins will appear before Cardiff magistrates today.

A police spokesman said: 'A Pontypridd man has been charged with sexual offences against children and is due to appear at Cardiff Magistrates' Court today.

'The 35-year-old has been charged with conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a female under 13 and possession/distribution of indecent images of children.

Former couple: Ian Watkins pictured with Fearne Cotton in 2008. The pair dated for less than a year in 2005

On stage: Watkins performing with Lostprophets, whose hits include Last train Home. The band has sold around 3.5 million albums

Singer: Watkins was one of three people charged by police. Two women, aged 20 and 24, were also charged with 'similar offences'

'In order to assist their investigation, South Wales Police has named the man as Ian Watkins, a member of the rock group Lostprophets."

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Peter Doyle said specially-trained staff were available to speak to anyone with concerns or information regarding this investigation.

'I want to encourage 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.'