Man Charged with Murder Refuses Video Link Court Appearance

A man accused of murdering former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins while in prison declined to leave his cell for a recent court hearing but is anticipated to deny the charge.

Rashid Gedel, aged 25, was scheduled to attend a case management hearing at Leeds Crown Court via a prison video link. However, Judge Guy Kearl KC was informed by a prison officer that Gedel refused to participate in the hearing through the video link.

Defence counsel Peter Moulson KC stated his understanding that Gedel wished to appear in court physically and that

"a not guilty plea will be entered in due course".

Charges and Trial Details

Gedel and co-defendant Samuel Dodsworth, 43, face charges of murdering Ian Watkins, 48, at the maximum-security HMP Wakefield on 11 October.

Dodsworth previously pleaded not guilty, and a trial date has been set for 2 May.

Judge Kearl, who is the Recorder of Leeds, noted that Gedel, referred to as Rico Gedel during Monday's proceedings, will be brought from prison to formally enter his plea on 9 February.

Background on Ian Watkins

Ian Watkins, a Welsh singer, was serving a 29-year sentence at HMP Wakefield for child sex offences.

Watkins gained fame in the 2000s as the lead singer of Lostprophets, a band that achieved 11 top 40 UK hits and a chart-topping album.

In December 2013, Watkins was convicted and jailed for multiple child sex offences, including the attempted rape of a baby.

Additional Information

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