Wednesday, May 12th, 2004
Guest: Lostprophets
Host: Adam, Dr. Drew
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Show Summary:
Jamie Oliver & Mike Lewis
Recording Info:
timex2
Size: 41.98 MB
Length: 1:31:42
Bitrate: 64kb/s CBR
guest sounds so polite and quite. but, in todays news:
Paedophile singer Ian Watkins claims his sex crimes were ‘not the worst’ as he fails in bid to reduce his 29-year sentence for ‘shocking’ abuse
Court of Appeal judges turn down singer’s request for a shorter sentence
He had argued he was treated too harshly when given 29 year jail term
Defence lawyer says ‘offences are however bad, are not the worst’
Watkins, 37, admitted 13 offences including attempted rape of a baby
He also pleaded guilty to encouraging fan to abuse child via webcam
One of his two female accomplices also has appeal bid turned down
Appeal judge describes crimes as being of ‘shocking depravity’
Rejected: Former Lostprophets singer and convicted paedophile Ian Watkins has had his appeal bid against his sentence turned down
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Rejected: Former Lostprophets singer and convicted paedophile Ian Watkins has had his appeal bid against his sentence turned down
Former Lostprophets singer and convicted paedophile Ian Watkins has had his appeal bid against his sentence turned down, despite arguing his sex crimes were ‘not the worst’.
The 37-year-old singer’s defence lawyer had told Court of Appeal judges sitting at Cardiff Crown Court that Watkins had been unfairly treated when he was given a 29 year jail term.
The 13 sex offences he pleaded guilty to last November included the attempted rape of an 11-month old child as well as encouraging a fan to abuse her baby via webcam.
Police also found a stash of child porn videos – some of which he had made himself.
Originally, Watkins had pleaded his innocence to a string of offences – despite a damning video evidence.
He changed his plea at the last minute – averting a trial – but then complained he had not realised that his guilty plea had made him ‘look guilty’.
While awaiting sentencing last December, he was recorded by prison officials saying the whole thing was ‘megalolz’ during a telephone call to a friend.
Although 37-year-old Watkins did not challenge his 13 sex offence convictions, the disgraced rock star complained he was treated too harshly by sentencing judge Mr Justice Royce when he was handed a 29 year jail term as well as an additional six years on licence.
As he sentenced the singer, the judge called him a dangerous sexual predator and told the now grey haired Watkins: ‘The public and, in particular, young females need protection from you.’
Sally O’Neil QC told the court that Watkins had spared witnesses and jury members from taking part in what would have been a ‘distressing’ trial, but had not been given enough credit for his guilty plea.
She said: ‘This case causes a very disturbing reaction for anyone who has has anything to do with it. We accept these matters are very serious.
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Argument: Sally O’Neil QC had argued on Watkins’s behalf that he had not been given enough benefit for pleading guilty
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Argument: Sally O’Neil QC had argued on Watkins’s behalf that he had not been given enough benefit for pleading guilty
‘But by pleading guilty my client averted the need for a most distressing and unpleasant trial for all those concerned, especially a jury.
‘He did not have to plead guilty and if he had done so the consequences would have been shocking.
‘I am not trying to minimise the gravity of these offences, just simply make the observation that a sense of proportion needs to be maintained.
‘These offences, however bad, are not the worst.’
However, the appeal judges failed to be swayed by the argument and ruled they would not grant leave for appeal.
Watkins’ two female accomplices, who can only be referred to as Woman A and Woman B for legal reasons, were jailed for 14 years and 16 years respectively.
Woman B also had her appeal bid turned down.
Hearing: Court of Appeal judges (left – right) Mr Justice Griffith Williams, Lord Justice Pitchford and Mrs Justice Simler turned down his appeal and said his 29 year jail term had been appropriate
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Hearing: Court of Appeal judges (left – right) Mr Justice Griffith Williams, Lord Justice Pitchford and Mrs Justice Simler turned down his appeal and said his 29 year jail term had been appropriate
‘Shocking’: Lord Justice Pitchford said that Watkins’s offences had been of ‘shocking depravity’, and required a lengthy prison sentence
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‘Shocking’: Lord Justice Pitchford said that Watkins’s offences had been of ‘shocking depravity’, and required a lengthy prison sentence
But Lord Justice Pitchford said the sentences handed to Watkins and his female accomplice were appropriate.
If I’ve learned anything from listening to this program, ya can’t judge.
To be fair, neither of the quiet and polite guests on this episode is the depraved pedophile from the news stories.
Lost prophets were decent guests. Show was kind of meh. Nothing special
End of first song. 00:38:30