Ian Watkins denies all the allegations against him
Ian Watkins denies all the allegations against him

Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins has been placed on suicide watch and is being monitored five times a day as he awaits trial for child sex offences.

Cardiff Crown Court was told the 35-year-old has been assessed by a clinical psychologist who has recommended he be removed from Parc Prison in Bridgend to a psychiatric hospital.

Watkins has already pleaded not guilty to a total of 24 offences, including including two counts of rape of a baby and one count of conspiracy to rape a second baby. He is also accused of possession of extreme animal pornography. The charges are alleged to have taken place between March 2007 and December 2012.

He is due to stand trial on 25 November.

The singer from Pontypridd appeared before Cardiff Crown Court via a video-link from Parc Prison for a pre-trial review.

His defence barrister Sally O'Neill told the court: "He has been seen by a clinical psychologist and she believes he should be receiving anti-psychotic medication. She wants him to be taken to a secure hospital for assessment and treatment.

"He is on suicide watch five times an hour," she added.

Watkin's co-accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons, also appeared in court. A 24-year-old woman has denied all charges against her while a 20-year-old woman has admitted sexually touching a child and taking and distributing indecent images of it.

All three have been remanded in custody until 14 October when they will appear for a for a case-management hearing at the same court.