Lostprophets’ Ian Watkins Sentenced – Readers Poll
After recently pleading guilty to a total of 13 offenses, including child sex crimes, former Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins has received a 35-year prison sentence. There's no doubt the severity of Watkins' crimes, but this Readers Poll asks if you think the sentence was fair.
Watkins had reportedly used his status as a rock star in relationships with two women, who offered their newborn children to the musician for sexual purposes. As such, the singer was charged with two counts of attempted rape and one count of sexual assault of a child under 13. He also pled guilty to an additional three counts of sexual assault involving children and six counts of taking, making and possessing indecent images of children.
Even though Watkins expressed that he was "deeply, deeply sorry" for the offenses, the judge in the case ruled that Watkins was "a corrupting influence" and showed "a complete lack of remorse" for his actions. In addition, police departments continue to investigate whether or not Watkins committed sex crimes in Germany and the U.S. as well.
Given the nature of the crimes, what is your opinion on the sentence? Do you feel he should have received more time behind bars? Was the penalty too harsh? Or did the judge get it exactly right? Vote in our Readers Poll below: