Ian Watkins' alleged murderer was 'smug' and 'smirking' after jail cell attack, court hears

An inmate who allegedly murdered paedophile Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins in jail was "smug" and "smirking" after the attack, a court has heard.

Rico Gedel, 25, is on trial, accused of killing Watkins, who was stabbed to death last October in his cell at the high-security HMP Wakefield in West Yorkshire.

Watkins, who was jailed in December 2013, had been serving a 29-year sentence with another six years on licence after admitting a string of sex offences - including the attempted rape of a fan's baby.

Leeds Crown Court was shown bodycam footage of Gedel allegedly saying "I hope he sleeps" to officers who were searching his own cell after the incident.

Gedel was laughing as he entered the room and when asked where the weapon was, he responded "I used my hands", said Patrick Wilson, who was part of the prison's dedicated search team (DST).

Other footage appeared to capture Gedel wishing Watkins "a good night's sleep, Watkins lad".

The court heard Gedel was "unhappy" about having to move wings the day before the fatal attack on 11 October and had threatened to "do something to get moved to segregation".

Prison officer Adam Laycock said in a statement he had been involved in transferring Gedel from A wing to B wing.

He said: "(Gedel) didn't want to move wings. He had mentioned a number of times that if he was moved he would do something."

"I knew Gedel would rather go to segregation than be moved to somewhere he didn't want to be."

Mr Laycock said he made his way to B wing on the day of Watkins' death after hearing a "code red" called, and saw Gedel being escorted by officers.

"I noticed Gedel was looking somewhat smug, and seemed to have a smirk on his face," according to his statement that was read by prosecutor Chris Rose.

Another prison officer from A wing, Justin Barrett, said he saw Gedel being restrained after the "code red".

Mr Barrett said: "He had not been happy about the move from A to B wing. I heard him say he would do something to get moved to segregation."

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An officer from the segregation wing at HMP Long Lartin, where Gedel was taken after Watkins' death, said Gedel seemed "proud of what had happened" and said he "felt like a celebrity".

The makeshift weapon was made of a Stanley knife stuck to a piece of plastic cutlery with large amounts of tape, jurors were told.

It was found in the prison bins, where it was disposed of by Samuel Dodsworth, the trial was told.

Gedel passed the knife to Dodsworth, 44, after leaving Watkins' cell, the court heard.

Gedel and Dodsworth both deny murder and possession of a makeshift knife in prison.

The trial continues.

(c) Sky News 2026: Ian Watkins' alleged murderer was 'smug' and 'smirking' after jail cell attack, court hears