Revision 4702392 of "Ian Watkins (Lostprophets)" on simplewiki

{{Infobox musical artist
| name                = Ian Watkins
| image               = Ian Watkins of Lostprophets (2007).jpg
| caption             = Ian Watkins performing live with Lostprophets at [[Leeds Festival#2007|Leeds Festival 2007]].
| image_size          =
| background          = solo_singer
| birth_name          = Ian David Karslake Watkins
| alias               = Mirrorboy, L'Amour La Morgue
| birth_place         = [[Merthyr Tydfil]], [[Glamorganshire]], [[Wales]]
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1977|07|30}}<ref name="Wales">{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/music/sites/genres_artists/rock_pop/lostprophets_ian_watkins.shtml| title=Ian Watkins| publisher=[[BBC News]]| author=| accessdate=2007-08-24}}</ref><ref>[http://www.findmypast.co.uk/search/all/results?recordCount=-1&forenames=Ian+David+Karslake&_includeForenamesVariants=on&surname=Watkins&_includeSurnameVariants=on&fromYear=1977&toYear=1977&region=&county=&mothersMaidenName=&_useMothersMaidenNameAsSurname=on&sortOrder=RK%3Atrue&_performExactSearch=on&event=B&recordType=ALL&route=]</ref>
| death_date          =
| origin              = 
| instrument          = [[Singing|Vocals]], [[Drum kit|drums]], [[Turntablism|turntables]], [[Keyboard instrument|keyboards]]
| genre               = [[Alternative metal]], [[alternative rock]], [[post-hardcore]], [[nu metal]], [[emo]]
| occupation          = [[Musician]], [[singer]], [[songwriter]], [[designer]]
| years_active        = 1995&ndash;2012
| label               = [[Epic Records|Epic]], [[Fearless Records|Fearless]], [[Visible Noise]]
| associated_acts     = [[Lostprophets]]<br>[[Public Disturbance (Welsh band)|Public Disturbance]]<br>[[The Blackout (band)|The Blackout]]
| website             =
| notable_instruments =
}}
'''Ian David Karslak Watkins''' (born 30 July 1977) is a [[Welsh people|Welsh]] [[musician]]. He was the main singer and songwriter of the [[alternative rock]] band [[Lostprophets]]. They broke up in 2013 because Watkins was charged with [[Rape|raping]] a baby and other [[sex crime]]s.<ref>http://metro.co.uk/2013/10/01/lostprophets-split-up-we-can-no-longer-continue-following-ian-watkins-heartache-4130469/</ref>

==Early life and career==	
Watkins was born in [[Merthyr Tydfil]]. His family later moved to [[Pontypridd]], where he went to [[Hawthorn High School]]. In 1991 he started a thrash metal band with Mike Lewis called Aftermath. After two years they broke up. Watkins met Lee Gaze at [[Ynysangharad Park]], a cricket ground where he lived. They made a band called Fleshbind. Then in 1995 they left the band and started one called Lost Prophets. That year Watkins also started a band with Lewis called  Public Disturbance. In 1998 Watkins left the band to focus on his band with Gaze. The band was renamed lostprophets (spelled with all lower-case letters).

Lostprophets have released five studio albums. They sold 3.5 million albums around the world.

==Sex crime charges==
On 19 December 2012 Watkins was charged with making and owning child porn and owning [[Bestiality|animal]] [[pornography]]. He was also charged with planning with a woman to rape a one-year-old girl.<ref>http://metro.co.uk/2012/12/19/lostprophets-lead-singer-ian-watkins-charged-with-sexual-offences-against-children-3322503/</ref> He was going to say in court that he didn't do any of those things. Before this, Watkins had never been in trouble with police. The trial started 25 November in Cardiff.<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-24918293</ref>

On 26 November 2013 Watkins pled guilty to 13 of 24 sex offences he was charged with. He admitted trying to rape a baby, but not rape. The judge said, "He accepts he was a determined and committed [[paedophile]]." On 18 December 2013, the court decided he will be put in prison for 35 years.<ref>http://news.sky.com/story/1184152/ian-watkins-gets-35-years-for-sex-offences</ref> He was is in [[HM Prison Wakefield]]. He was moved to Long Lartin Prison to be closer to his ill mother. <ref>http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/ian-watkins-moved-same-prison-6558170</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Watkins, Ian}}
[[Category:1977 births]]
[[Category:British prisoners]]
[[Category:British rock guitarists]]
[[Category:British rock singers]]
[[Category:British sex offenders]]
[[Category:Welsh singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:Welsh rock musicians]]
[[Category:Welsh singers]]
[[Category:Living people]]