Lostprophets speak out on Ian Watkins: 'How were we to know?'

Ex-Lostprophets members have again spoken out to condemn the child sex crimes of convicted paedophile and former frontman Ian Watkins - insisting that they had no way of knowing. 

Watkins was sentenced to 35 years in prison in December 2013, after he admitted charges of attempting to rape a baby, as well as the sexual assault of a child under 13. He also admitted three counts of sexual assault involving children and six involving taking, making and possessing indecent images of children and one of possessing an extreme pornographic image involving a sex act on an animal. He was convicted alongside two women who were involved in him attempting to abuse their infant children. Last week, he had his appeal to have his sentence cut shortened. 

Members of the band have since launched a new group with Thursday singer Geoff Rickly as No Devotion - who have been touring and releasing material to fans recently. 

Speaking to BBC Newsbeat about Wakins crimes, guitarist Lee Gaze: "How could you know? How would you know?

"Who would disclose such a thing to five people, who between them have eight children? You just wouldn’t because they would be killed on the spot."

Last month, in aninterview with The Guardian, the band also spoke of their shock at his crimes - especially regarding his behaviour towards the end of the band's time together. 

"He was talking about looking forward to the next record – he thought we'd return to being as successful as we'd been five years before," said Lee Gaze, remembering the last time he saw Watkins in December 2012. "He seemed OK that day."

Gaze continued: "Many of you understandably want to know if we knew what Ian was doing. To be clear: we did not. We are heartbroken, angry, and disgusted at what has been revealed. Our hearts go out to Ian's family, the fans and friends he betrayed, and most importantly, the victims of his crimes and others like them."

Asked if he could ever listen to Lostprophets' music again, Gaze replied: "I can't. It's tainted, because he was the voice of the band, and it was his lyrics."