Lostprophets' Ian Watkins pleads guilty to 11 charges – including two counts of attempting to rape a baby

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The rock singer Ian Watkins has pleaded guilty to a string of sexual offences, including two charges of attempting to rape a baby.

The 36-year-old former Lostprophets frontman made a series of admissions in a last-minute change of plea ahead of what would have been his trial at Cardiff Crown Court.

Watkins, from Pontypridd, south Wales, insists he has no memory of what would have been key video evidence at the trial showing the abuse of his one-year-old victim, the court heard.

He pleaded guilty to a string of sex offences he had previously "furiously" denied.

The charges included sexually touching a one-year-old and encouraging a fan to abuse her own child during a webcam chat.

Watkins also admitted possessing and making child porn as well as launching the plot to rape a baby.

He was originally charged with rape but insisted sex with the child did not take place during a drug-fuelled binge he says he was on at the time.

Watkins originally faced 24 separate charges - all sex offence related.

He pleaded guilty to 11 charges today, nine of which were unchanged and two of attempted baby rape, as opposed to rape.

Prosecutor Christopher Clee QC told the judge that both of the attempted rape admissions were accepted.

He acknowledged that there was an argument regarding what key video evidence seized from Watkins's laptop actually showed.

"From the footage, there is an argument as to whether the full offence is made out," he told judge Mr Justice Royce.

"If it is made out, it is minimal. There is so little difference between the full attempt and the attempt as to make no difference... We are prepared to accept the pleas as tendered."

He also told the judge that the prosecution had in mind the effect on the jury of watching the explicit video footage.

Previous hearings discussed arranging counselling for jurors who might need it.

Additional reporting PA