A prisoner who slashed the neck of paedophile rock star Ian Watkins confessed he was jealous of 'nonce prisoners' because they were 'treated like royalty', a court has heard. Rico Gedel, 25, allegedly killed the former Lostprophets frontman in a 20-second jail cell attack before quipping 'have a good night's sleep' as Watkins lay dying, a jury was told.
Attack at HMP Wakefield
Watkins, 48, was serving a 35-year sentence for a string of horrific child sex offences, including the attempted rape of a baby, when he was ambushed at HMP Wakefield, one of Britain's toughest high-security prisons. Gedel later boasted: 'If I'm going to do life for murder, I'm going to make sure it's worth it.' He also allegedly told a prison officer: 'If I've killed him, you could be talking to someone famous.'
Motivation and jealousy
After being arrested, Gedel told police that 'God' had inflicted the injuries on Watkins and claimed he was jealous of 'nonce prisoners' because they were treated 'like royalty'. Leeds Crown Court heard that Watkins had become a target for inmates who believed jail was 'too good' for him.
On the morning of October 11, 2025, shortly after officers unlocked cell doors, Watkins suffered three deep slash wounds to his head and neck. One 10.5cm cut sliced through his voice box and jugular vein, causing catastrophic blood loss.
Prosecution's case
Prosecutor Tom Storey, KC, told jurors that Watkins was a target for those who believed 'imprisonment is somehow too good' for child sex offenders. He emphasised that the death penalty has not been used in the UK since 1965 and that taking the law into one's own hands is not justified.
Jurors heard that Watkins had received two threatening notes the day before the attack, accusing him of getting another prisoner removed from the wing and demanding money. Gedel was 'entirely coincidentally' placed in a cell next to Watkins that same evening.
The attack
CCTV footage showed Gedel entering Watkins's cell at 9.19am and leaving 20 seconds later. Watkins emerged with blood visible on his neck. A prison officer who provided first aid asked who was responsible, and Watkins replied: 'That little black fella.' Gedel was detained and, as he walked past Watkins's cell, allegedly remarked: 'Have a good night's sleep, Watkins lad.'
Gedel and fellow prisoner Samuel Dodsworth, 44, deny murder and possessing an offensive weapon. Dodsworth is accused of acting as a lookout and disposing of the homemade knife. The trial continues.
