UPDATE: 'I Told Police He Talked Of Abusing Children Four Years Ago' Claims Former Girlfriend Of Ian Watkins
Former bandmates of paedophile singer Ian Watkins have expressed their relief that justice has been served.
Co-founding Lostprophets member and lead guitarist Lee Gaze - alongside rhythm guitarist Mike Lewis, bass player Stuart Richardson, keyboard player Jamie Oliver and drummer Luke Johnson - were left in a "state of shock" when news broke that someone they regarded as a close friend was a devious paedophile.
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In a statement issued last year, the group said they had only found out about the singer being charged by the police after Watkins' first court appearance at Cardiff Magistrates Court.
The remaining members kept a dignified silence on the matter, despite receiving scores of abusive messages from internet trolls.
But lead guitarist Gaze could not hide his relief on a social networking site when learning that Watkins had pleaded guilty.
After re-tweeting a message about Watkins from an account called '@UKpaedosnamed', the six stringer wrote: "That was over quick. Thank f***.
"Thanks for the kind words. At least there is closure now."
The former Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins pleaded guilty to a series of "depraved" child sex offences including admitting to two charges of attempting to rape a baby, Cardiff Crown Court heard today.