Trial date set for two charged with Watkins murder

A provisional trial date has been set for two men accused of murdering paedophile singer Ian Watkins in prison.

The former Lostprophets frontman, who was serving a 29-year sentence, was fatally injured in an incident at HMP Wakefield, a high-security jail, just after 09:30 BST on Saturday.

Rico Gedel, 25, whose name was previously listed as Rashid Gedel, and Samuel Dodsworth, 43, were both due to appear at Leeds Crown Court earlier, but Mr Gedel refused to leave his cell, the court heard. Mr Dodsworth appeared via video link from HMP Wakefield. He spoke only to confirm his name.

The Recorder of Leeds, Judge Guy Kearl KC, set a provisional trial date of 5 May 2026 during the short hearing.

Judge Kearl said the "issues in the case" had yet to be established.

Prosecutor Tom Storey KC told the court Mr Gedel had refused to attend the hearing via video link because "it appears he wanted to attend in person".

A member of Mr Gedel's family was present in court.

No details about the incident which led to Watkins' death were revealed, but the court was told the defendants were charged with murder on Monday morning.

A plea and trial preparation hearing will take place at Leeds Crown Court on 12 November.

The trial is expected to last between two and three weeks.

Watkins, who also faced a further six years on licence if he was ever released, admitted the attempted rape and sexual assault of a child under 13 but pleaded not guilty to rape.

He also admitted conspiring to rape a child, three counts of sexual assault involving children, seven involving taking, making or possessing indecent images of children and one of possessing an extreme pornographic image involving a sex act on an animal.

During sentencing, Mr Justice Royce said the case broke "new ground" and "plunged into new depths of depravity".