UMVA has learned that a shocking turn of events unfolded in a high-security prison last October, when convicted paedophile Ian Watkins was brutally stabbed to death by a fellow inmate.
The gruesome incident occurred at HMP Wakefield, where Watkins was serving a 29-year sentence for child sexual offences. Rico Gedel, 25, allegedly carried out the attack, and now faces murder charges alongside Samuel Dodsworth, 44.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Gedel had been housed with sex offenders at Wakefield and had previously threatened to hurt 'any number of paedophiles' if he was not transferred. He claimed to have targeted Watkins due to 'proximity', as he had been placed in the cell next to him.
Gedel's testimony revealed a complex and disturbing mindset, as he admitted that 'part of him' wanted to kill Watkins, but another part did not. He described the conflicting desires, saying 'sometimes what your heart wants is not what your brain wants.'
The prosecution argued that both Gedel and Dodsworth were guilty of murder, as Dodsworth allegedly assisted Gedel by disposing of the makeshift knife after the attack. However, Dodsworth denied any involvement, claiming he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Watkins' death was a tragic event that lasted just 20 seconds, and it marks a disturbing chapter in the notorious paedophile's life. He had already been attacked multiple times inside Wakefield, including a violent incident in 2023 when he was left 'fighting for his life' after being stabbed repeatedly.
The trial of Gedel and Dodsworth took a significant turn when the jury was discharged for legal reasons, and the case will now have to be re-tried. The judge expressed disappointment, saying 'very reluctantly, I'm going to discharge you and the case will have to be re-tried.'
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the case has raised questions about the safety and security of high-risk inmates, as well as the psychological motivations behind such heinous crimes.
