Ahh, Lostprophets.
If like so many of us, you went through a stage in the last decade of listening to angsty punk rock music, wearing more than your fair share of black eye-liner and considering yourself ‘misunderstood’, then the chances are that you will have heard of the band Lostprophets.
In their prime, the Welsh punk rock band were adored globally and enjoyed sold out tours. They achieved two top ten UK singles alongside several awards for best British band, best single, best live act, and best album, to mention a few.
And if somehow you hadn't heard of the Lostprophets then you probably will have now, thanks to the recent media craze over lead singer Ian Watkins and his appalling criminal behaviour.
In late 2012, Watkins was charged with a number of sexual offences against children. Up until recently the artist has furiously denied such allegations, insisting in May of this year that he would “fight to the bitter end to clear his name.” (The Guardian, 2013)
Yet as the trial began in November Watkins shocked us all by pleading guilty to nearly all of the charges, including two counts of attempting to rape a baby, conspiracy to rape a child, sexual assault of a child under 13 and various child pornography charges.
The severity of Watkins crimes are to most of us, unfathomable. In the search for evidence, police reportedly discovered an encrypted storage system on Ian Watkins computer, within which they found footage and photos so graphic that counselling sessions for jurors were arranged. To make matters worse, it was found that even Watkins’ computer password referred to his outrageous sexual behaviour, spelling ‘IF*ckKids’.
Two other women, whose identities remain anonymous, are known to be fans of the star and are also on trial for conspiracy to rape and sexual assault of their own children. Sickening, right?
Ian Watkins’ former girlfriend Joanna Magic allegedly warned the police about his sickening sexual behaviour four years ago , but they neglected to take the reports seriously. "I’ve always said to the police, there are hundreds of victims out there and you’re never going to find them because the mothers are in on it.”
The trial really does demonstrate sexual exploitation at its very worst, way beyond anything comprehensible to you or I. However police fear that this case may just be the tip of the iceberg, expressing suspicions that Watkins used his celebrity status to exploit other victims around the world. Detective Chief Inspector Peter Doyle of South Wales Police's specialist crime investigations team said there was "no doubt" in his mind that Watkins exploited his celebrity status in order to abuse young children. (BBC, 2013)
Surely this begs the question, how much are we letting celebrities get away with by showering them with fandom and refusing to believe they could do any wrong?
Even despite Watkins’ guilty plea, and the stacks of evidence collected against him, many fans are adamant that the singer is innocent. A delusion of the naïve maybe, but their outrage is causing quite a stir on social networking sites. A Facebook page titled ‘Ian Watkins is innocent’ has over 200 likes, receiving constant attention and controversy. The only evidence these people have to believe his innocence is Ian Watkins’ word that he was innocent, which he claimed nearly a year ago.
The nature of this case seems all too familiar. Although Watkins’ convictions are arguably more severe, it wasn’t so long ago that the media was reporting on a similar story about Jimmy Savile. In September 2012, claims were widely publicised that the English DJ and BBC television presenter Jimmy Savile had committed countless acts of sexual abuse. Savile’s alleged victims ranged from prepubescent girls and boys to adults. By the end of the investigation the Metropolitan Police stated that the total number of alleged victims was 589, of who 450 alleged abuse by Savile over a period of fifty years.
Whilst both Ian Watkins and Jimmy Savile’s actions are horrifying, the harsh and unpopular truth of the matter is that cases like these are not uncommon. The core of the matter is a powerful man abusing his influence in the most heinous of manners. But as unpleasant as it might seem, the hideous crimes committed by Ian Watkins and Jimmy Savile are not isolated incidents. Rape and abuse are frighteningly common - so common that they are rarely newsworthy. Some estimates suggest that as much as 17 per cent of women have experienced rape. (Independent, 2013)
The only significant factor that makes them a matter of public interest, is that such acts are committed by celebrities, instead of the many unreported cases committed by uninteresting members of the public. We somehow feel more let down and disappointed by these cases because we misplaced our trust and admiration in celebrities that proved such fandom to be unjust.
Which is probably why it seems even more of a shame that the actions of one band member should destroy the potential of promising group Lostprophets? In light of the allegations against Watkins, Lostprophets band members made the decision to disband in October. The group continue to suffer due to the actions of their former lead singer. HMV even made the decision to withdraw Lostprophets' music from sale in a symbolic gesture to their distain over Watkins’ crimes.
But even though Watkins’ crimes are less common than we previously thought, the reality is that the public is unlikely to ever return to their previous appreciation of the band. One source said “after everything to do with Ian Watkins I just don’t want to listen to them [Lostprophets]. He’s ruined their music for me with his vile, filthy, sickness."
Although that appears to be the prevailing opinion, there are still some that are a little more forgiving. Another source stated “there was more than one member of Lostprophets. Nobody can deny that what he did goes beyond wrong, and he will be punished. But the other band members that didn’t do anything don’t deserve to have their lives and their music ruined too.”
Who knows, maybe Lostprophets have a chance of maintaining a shred of dignity from their fans. Maybe Ian Watkins’ case will lead to some much needed crack down on the consistency of similar sexual convictions. Maybe this trial could be the start of a public co-operation, to prevent and reduce the number of innocent children becoming objects of pleasure for twisted paedophiles.
Well, at least one can hope…
Thanks for reading, over and out.
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