Paedophile rock star Ian Watkins to keep royalties in prison

Paedophile rock star Ian Watkins will continue to rake in thousands of pounds in performance royalties even as he spends years behind bars.

The depraved former Lostprophets frontman could pocket an estimated £100,000 in royalty cash generated since he was arrested and charged last year.

After Watkins is jailed at Cardiff Crown Court, south Wales, on Wednesday, a continued stream of cash for past work will ensure that he remains a wealthy man.

His notoriety and renewed publicity when he is sentenced could even cause a cash generation spike as music sales and internet searches rise.

The 36-year-old, from Pontypridd, admitted two counts of attempted rape on the baby of one female fan on the eve of a trial in Cardiff last month.

Watkins also admitted conspiracy to rape the baby of another female fan, sexually touching a one-year-old and possessing and making child abuse images.

He also plotted sex abuse with the mothers of the babies in text and internet messages. Both women, who cannot be named, will be sentenced with him.