Child sex charge singer in court

19 December 2012 Last updated at 14:39 GMT Ian Watkins was remanded in custody by magistrates in Cardiff

The lead singer of Welsh rock band Lostprophets has been charged with conspiracy to rape a one-year-old girl.

Ian Watkins, 35, of Pontypridd, appeared before Cardiff magistrates facing six charges relating to sexual offences against two young children.

He faces a charge of conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child under 13 and four offences relating to possession and distribution of indecent images of children.

He was remanded in custody.

The court heard that he had not admitted any of the offences, which date from May to December this year.

A 24-year-old woman has been charged with the same offences as Mr Watkins, while a 20-year-old woman is charged with five of the same offences but not conspiracy to rape.

Bail applications by all three were refused and they are due to appear before Cardiff Crown Court on 31 December.

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Fire deaths murder charge dropped

17 December 2012 Last updated at 18:25 GMT Mick and Mairead Philpott, along with Paul Mosley, will face trial in February The parents of six children who died as a result of a house fire in Derby will now face manslaughter charges.

Mick and Mairead Philpott had been accused of murder, but were told at Birmingham Crown Court that the charge had been downgraded.

Jade Philpott, 10, and her brothers John, nine, Jack, eight; Jessie, six, and Jayden, five, died on 11 May at their house in Victory Road, Allenton.

Their brother Duwayne, 13, died three days later in hospital.

Mr and Mrs Philpott both denied the six manslaughter charges when they appeared in court via videolink.

Third defendant Paul Mosley appeared in the dock at the same hearing and also denied six charges of manslaughter.

The 45-year-old, of Cecil Street, Derby, had been originally charged with murder along with the Philpotts.

All three are expected to face trial in February.

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