Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins has been accused of plotting to rape a BABY.
The Welsh singer, 35, was refused bail today as he was charged with six child sex offences - including conspiring with a female fan, 24, to rape a one-year-old girl.
The singer and two women, who cannot be named for legal reasons, are also accused of conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a girl under 13.
Watkins - a former boyfriend of TV presenter Fearne Cotton - was further charged with three separate charges of possession, making and distributing indecent images of children.
He is also accused of possession of “extreme pornography”, some involving animals.
The court heard 40 images of children and child abuse were being investigated as part of the South Wales police probe.
Appearing at Cardiff Magistrates Court today, Watkins looked tired and drawn in the dock as he stared at the floor throughout the 90 minute hearing, pausing only to glance up at his mother who was in the pubic gallery.
Thomas Crowther, defending Watkins, said: “None of these offences are admitted. He has no previous convictions and is a man of clean character.”
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Watkins was arrested on Monday and questioned at Cardiff Bay police station where he was held in custody.
Two women - one aged 20 from Doncaster and the other 24 from Bedford - were also brought to the Welsh capital where they were also arrested and appeared in court alongside Watkins.
The younger is on four charges and the older on six.
Mr Crowther had said his client would be denying the charges and argued that his celebrity status could help to enforce bail conditions.
He also added that Lostprophets had cancelled a planned tour, Watkins had no previous convictions and his mother, who was sitting in the public gallery, was willing to put forward her house as a surety.
But presiding magistrate Alan Knight opted to remand Watkins - along with the two women - into custody.
All three are due to appear in Cardiff Crown Court on December 31.
Watkins formed Lostprophets in 1997 with friends from the small former mining town of Pontypridd.
They started playing gigs around South Wales and were eventually signed, releasing breakthrough single Shinobi vs Dragon Ninja in 2001 before going on to sell over 3.5 million albums worldwide.
Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Peter Doyle said specially-trained staff were available to speak to anyone with concerns or information regarding this investigation.
He said: “I want to encourage anyone who has any concerns or information which they think may be relevant to contact us.
“Safeguarding children involved in such cases is always a high priority and as such measures have already been taken.”
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