Prisoner Sparks Court Chaos by Refusing to Leave Cell
One of the men accused of murdering former Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins has thrown a massive spanner in the works. Rico “Rashid” Gedel, 25, was meant to appear at Leeds Crown Court via video link on Wednesday but flat-out refused to leave his prison cell.
Defiant Gedel Stonewalls Court Hearing
Gedel, charged with murdering Watkins last October at HMP Wakefield, stayed put at HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire instead of attending the hearing. Prison staff made multiple attempts to get him to the video link but hit a brick wall. A prison officer told the court, “We’ve tried to coach him into attending on two more occasions, but he’s just refused.” No explanation was given for his defiance.
Judge Orders Gedel to Face Court in Person
Fed up with Gedel’s no-show antics, the judge has now demanded he be brought to Leeds Crown Court in person next week. That’s when Gedel is expected to finally enter a plea for the murder charge.
Co-Accused Pleads Not Guilty
- Gedel’s co-accused, Samuel Dodsworth, 43, has already pleaded not guilty back in November.
The Dark Legacy of Ian Watkins
Former Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins, 48, was jailed indefinitely in 2013 after being convicted of horrific child sex offences. His murder inside prison shocked the nation, adding a grim final twist to the disgraced rocker’s twisted story.
