Lostprophets ‘Heartbroken, Angry And Disgusted’ By Former Lead Singer By Ian Watkins

The Lostprophets have released a statement addressing their former lead singer Ian Watkins’ recent guilty plea.

Watkins pleaded guilty to a number of child sex offenses, including conspiring to rape a child, three counts of sexual assault involving children, and seven counts involving taking, making, or possessing indecent images of children. According to the BBC, Watkins also pleaded guilty to possessing an extreme pornographic image involving a sex act on an animal. The images were found on Watkins’ computers, laptops, and cell phones.

Prosecutor Chris Clee said Watkins “accepts he was a determined and committed pedophile.” Two women were also involved in Watkins’ sexual abuse, having abused the children themselves and making them “available to Watkins.”

Ian Watkins will be sentenced December 18.

The Lostprophets broke their silence about Ian Watkins’ child sexual abuse Saturday, and said they had hoped that it was all a mistake. After learning that Watkins would not contest the allegations in court, the band said it was impossible to deny the “true extent of his appalling behavior.”

“Many of you understandably want to know if we knew what Ian was doing. To be clear: We did not,” the Lostprophets wrote in a statement on Facebook.

“We knew that Ian was a difficult character. Our personal relationships with him had deteriorated in recent years to a point that working together was a constant, miserable challenge,” they continued. “But despite his battles with drugs, his egotistic behavior, and the resulting fractures and frustrations within our band, we never imagined him capable of behavior of the type he has now admitted.”

The band added, “We are heartbroken, angry, and disgusted at what has been revealed. This is something that will haunt us for the rest of our lives.”

The statement was signed by keyboard player Jamie Oliver, lead guitarist Lee Gaze, drummer Luke Johnson, rhythm guitarist Mike Lewis, and bass player Stuart Richardson. They also urged any victims that haven’t come forward yet to go to police.