WARNING UPSETTING CONTENT - Ian Watkins to be sentenced this afternoon

[hobnobsaremyfavourite]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-25412675
Could this vile excuse for a human being sink any lower? His defense team pleading that he is a suicide risk and so very sory for his crime whilst he "LOL's" down a phone to a "Young fan". WTAF is he doing being allowed to contact young fans.
I hope he never leaves prison.

Lock him up and throw away the key, the vile fucker.

I went to see TLP a few years back. Was right up at the front. Made my stomach turn when all this came out. Especially now I have a DS of my own. It really is just beyond comprehension. I feel so sorry for his family and band mates (though most of all the victims/potential victims) as they had no idea and were so close to him. I hope none of them feel guilty for not realizing or discovering it earlier. He clearly hid it well!

The article finishes with a mention of at least 3 further enquiries, plus the possibility of more (including links overseas).

One person - so much misery to others.

I am just glad that things like the phonecall are coming out and he is being shown as rotten to the core.
But I still don't understand how he was allowed to talk freely to a young fan given who is coaccused were.

One article mentioned that he also possibly raped/had underage sex with teen/tween fans too. Just makes your skin crawl. It's scary how 'normal' he seems in interviews etc from the last year or so. You half expect people like that to be obviously creepy or suspect I suppose (I know that sounds a bit daft but it just did surprise me when it all came out).

I wish they'd stop the suicide watch on him and save taxpayers a lot of money

I hope he gets the harshest sentence possible.

The defence team are clutching at straws. The defence Lawyer stated that the mother was clearly encouraging him. That shouldn't have an impact on the sentence he is given. He was working as part of a team rather than a lone abuser, does that make it less serious?

I was amazed how wide an investigation this is becoming, with America and Germany and other police forces in the UK involved. Hideous.

and I'm stunned about that phone call he made after being found guilty, he really didn't get how depraved a crime he'd committed, did he?

I cannot see how he can receive anything other than a life sentence, which won't be a whole life tariff but with a minimum time served which is lengthy before he is considered for parole.

Oh dear... had no idea what you meant by TLP.
Stupid curiosity.
He'll be dead soon. If he goes to prison the inmates' ll tip him over the edge im sure...

He should be detained at Her Majesty's Pleasure.

I don't feel any sympathy for his band mates tbh.

I do believe they didn't know the full extent of what he was doing but they certainly knew about him grooming young 'fans' after gigs.

I would hope they and everyone else who turned a blind eye to that are feeling bloody guilty.

And his defence barrister is a despicable human being too.

I absolutely believe that everyone deserves a fair trail but Fans used "extraordinary tactics" to get his attention, and the teenagers he filmed himself having sex with were "extremely willing" participants is about as low as it gets.

Disgusting Cretinous Being - and even that is too kind. The judge will surely give him the strongest possible sentence????? The excuses don't wash with me. He needs to be locked up for life. Paedos do not change after a prison sentence, they are what they are and the only way to keep children safer is to keep the monsters locked up for life.

PeterParker I get the feeling there will be even more disgusting revelations about this monster and the police must have a reason to suspect he has done more despicable things abroad etc.

And as for the "super fans" who offered their babies to him...I have no words.

I totally accept and understand the concept of everyone deserves a fair trial, but how can the woman defending him sleep at night!?! Some of the things she is reported to have said are so shocking. :-(

It's like she read 'how to blame the victim' from cover to cover isn't it.
Foul woman.

I thought that some of the things that defense teams have doen over the years were vile e.g the Millie Dowler case, but this one really seems to have plumbed new depths.

35 years !

Woman A 14 years, woman B 17 years, Watkins 35 years. Extended sentence.

I hope they serve every last second of their sentences.

I'm guessing that's the maximum the judge could impose and it's great that he has done but I don't think any sentence would seem long enough would it.

I'd genuinely be interested in any lawyers etc that can give another perspective on this, and whether it is unreasonable to think his defence team are the lowest of the low.

I guess maybe some would say they're operating within the scope of the law..??

Have to say, having read some of the BBC report of her wrap-up speech, it almost feels as if her heart wasn't in it...it's not exactly convincing is it?! Almost as if she's done it to make damned sure everyone has the reaction I (we've) had and make sure he goes down for a long, long time.

Fans used "extraordinary tactics" to get his attention, and the teenagers he filmed himself having sex with were "extremely willing" participants This sort of blaming of victims should be illegal. I guess the baby didn't argue either. It's utterly sick

35 years still doesn't seem long enough. His crimes and those of the mothers of those children are beyond understanding.

I think it's an extended sentence.

29 years inside. Extended period of license of 6 years. Two thirds of sentence before parole board