Rashid Gedel, 25, the person accused of killing Lostprophets paedophile Ian Watkins, taunted the previous rock singer as jail employees have been administering first help after the alleged assault, Leeds Crown Courtroom has heard
The trial of two inmates accused of murdering paedophile Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins has started (Picture: PA)
A prisoner accused of murdering paedophile Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins informed jail employees: “If I’ve killed him, you could possibly be speaking to somebody well-known,” prosecutors have informed a jury. Former rock star Watkins was stabbed to dying in his cell at excessive safety HMP Wakefield, the place he was serving a 29-year sentence for youngster sexual offences.
Leeds Crown Courtroom heard serving prisoner Rico Gedel went into Watkins’ cell lower than 20 minutes after it was unlocked for the morning, on October 11 final 12 months, and stabbed him thrice within the head and neck with a home-made knife.
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Gedel then handed the weapon to fellow inmate Samuel Dodsworth, who disposed of it in a bin.
Prosecutors stated the assault lasted simply 20 seconds and Gedel was “perky” when he was detained by jail officers afterwards, allegedly saying “Have a superb evening’s sleep Watkins lad”, when he was taken previous the cell the place the previous singer was receiving medical therapy.
He later informed police that he was jealous of “nonce prisoners” as a result of they “obtained handled like royalty,” and that he thought it was disgusting having to share a wing with intercourse offenders at HMP Wakefield, the place they weren’t segregated.
Gedel, 25, who was initially referred to by police as Rashid Gedel, and Dodsworth, 44, each deny homicide and possession of a makeshift knife in jail.
Prosecutors say the assault was “a joint offence” between the 2 defendants, and Dodsworth knew it was going to occur.
Opening the case to jurors on Thursday, Tom Storey KC stated Watkins, who was a “notably infamous and high-profile” prisoner, obtained two notes the day earlier than he was killed which accused him of getting one other prisoner kicked off the wing, demanded cash from him and threatened violence.
Mr Storey stated that though it was unclear whether or not these notes lay behind the assault, prisons are locations the place “grudges are borne, and acted upon… and the place ‘grassing’ or ‘snitching’ on others is seen in a poor gentle”.
The court docket heard Gedel had been moved into the identical wing as Watkins and Dodsworth the day earlier than the assault, and “coincidentally” put within the cell subsequent to Watkins.
On the morning of Watkins’ dying, jail officers began unlocking the cells on B wing after 9am, and Gedel left his cell, however Watkins selected to stay inside.
Rashid Gedel refused to attend court docket by way of video-link (Picture: Met Police)
The court docket heard Gedel and Dodsworth met in one other prisoner’s cell, and that Dodsworth entered the cell with a “dressing robe or towel wrapped up in a bundle” earlier than leaving with out it.
After speaking to Dodsworth and one other inmate, Gedel briefly went again into his personal cell after which stood leaning in opposition to the railings, whereas Dodsworth “loitered” close to the highest of the steps and seemed to be appearing as a “lookout”, jurors heard.
Mr Storey stated: “Right now Gedel was, in all chance, ready for a second when the jail officers on the touchdown have been out of sight, and when he would have a possibility to hold out the deliberate assault on Mr Watkins.”
CCTV confirmed Gedel going into Watkins’ cell simply earlier than 9.20am and leaving simply 20 seconds later, earlier than strolling in direction of Dodsworth and passing him one thing. Dodsworth glanced on the merchandise and put it within the pocket of his jogging bottoms, jurors heard.
Footage then confirmed Watkins rising briefly from his cell with blood seen on the neck of his T-shirt.
Samuel Dodsworth showing at Leeds Crown Courtroom by way of video hyperlink in October (Picture: PA)
Two workmen who have been finishing up upkeep work within the jail noticed he was holding his hand to his neck, and bleeding from a wound.
They signalled for assist and three jail officers ran in direction of Watkins’ cell, the place he was bleeding from his accidents.
One officer used his radio to summon pressing assist whereas urgent a towel in opposition to a “notably giant wound” to the aspect of Watkins’ neck.
Mr Storey stated he requested who had finished this, and Watkins “stated one thing to the impact of ‘that little black fella’”.
Watkins, from Merthyr Tydfil in Wales, collapsed onto his mattress and misplaced consciousness. Paramedics have been unable to resuscitate him and he was declared useless simply earlier than 10.15am.
Mr Storey stated that as jail officers ran to grab Gedel, he “simply stood there, holding his arms outstretched and providing no resistance to them by any means”.
As he was being taken again to his cell, he handed Watkins’ open door and stated: “Have a superb evening’s sleep, Watkins lad,” jurors heard.
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Mr Storey stated employees who have been informed to watch Gedel by means of the hatch in his cell door commented on “his perky manner”.
“He mentioned with one in all them the offence that had led to him being imprisoned at HMP Wakefield within the first place, and he stated one thing to the impact of ‘If I’m going to do life for homicide, I’m going to ensure it’s value it’,” the prosecutor stated.
“He additionally informed the identical officer, ‘If I’ve killed him, you could possibly be speaking to somebody well-known’.”
Earlier than all prisoners have been locked of their cells, Dodsworth was seen going into an alcove with some bins.
A selfmade knife with blood on it was discovered on the backside of one of many bins by jail officers.
When Gedel was interviewed by police the following day, he stated he felt jealous of what he known as “nonce prisoners” (intercourse offenders), as a result of they obtained handled like royalty, the court docket heard.
Leeds Crown Courtroom, the place jurors heard proof within the trial over the dying of Ian Watkins (Picture: PA Wire/Press Affiliation Photographs)
He informed officers that there was no segregation between intercourse offenders and different prisoners in HMP Wakefield and he “thought it was disgusting having to share wings with offenders like that,” Mr Storey stated.
When requested who had triggered the accidents to Watkins, Gedel replied, “God (who) does every thing.”
Dodsworth informed police he had not been concerned within the incident and tried to offer the knife again to Gedel.
He stated he put the blade within the bin “in panic” after seeing Watkins standing at his door with a giant gash on his neck.
Mr Storey stated: “He (stated he) knew that Watkins was excessive profile, and that he was serving a sentence for sexual offences, however apart from that didn’t know a lot about him.
“He stated that generally Watkins would get overwhelmed up, and generally he wouldn’t – Wakefield was a high-risk jail.”
The trial continues.
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