Inquest opens into death of paedophile singer Ian Watkins

Disgraced Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins died after being stabbed in the neck in a prison attack, an inquest has heard.

Watkins, 48, died on 11 October after being assaulted at HMP Wakefield, where he had been serving a 29-year sentence for child sex offences.

The inquest, opened earlier at Wakefield Coroner’s Court, was adjourned pending the completion of an associated murder trial.

Two men have been charged with murder in connection with Watkins’ death while two others arrested earlier this week on suspicion of conspiracy to murder were returned to prison as inquiries continue.

Coroner Oliver Longstaff said Watkins had been pronounced dead at the West Yorkshire jail by an attending doctor and was formally identified by a prison officer.

Mr Longstaff said paramedics were called to the jail “following a report he had been stabbed in the neck”.

The coroner said a post-mortem report gave the cause of death as an incision to the neck.

Rashid Gedel, 25, and Samuel Dodsworth, 43, have been charged with murdering Watkins.