FILE - This is a Saturday, Aug 20, 2011 file photo of British musician Ian Watkins, lead singer of Lostprophets, as he performs on stage at V Music Festival in Hylands Park, Chelmsford, England. A British judge on Wednesday, Dec. 18 2013, has jailed the former lead singer of rock band Lostprophets for 29 years for a string of sexual offenses, including trying to rape a baby. Ian Watkins, 36, pleaded guilty last month to 13 charges which included sexually touching a 1-year-old, encouraging a fan to abuse her child and making child pornography. (AP Photo / Joel Ryan, File)
December 18, 2013 - 7:17 AM
LONDON - A British judge has jailed the former lead singer of rock band Lostprophets for 29 years for a string of sexual offences, including trying to rape a baby.
Ian Watkins, 36, pleaded guilty last month to 13 charges, which included sexually touching a 1-year-old, encouraging a fan to abuse her child, and making child pornography.
Judge Roger John Royce told Watkins his actions had "plumbed new depths of depravity" and sentenced the singer on Wednesday at Cardiff Crown Court.
Watkins must serve at least two thirds of his 29-year sentence, then spend six more years on strict probation.
Lostprophets — which formed in 1997 and had a chart-topping album in 2006, "Liberation Transmission" — announced it was disbanding after Watkins' arrest.
News from © The Associated Press, 2013