Cops were tipped off 11 times about Ian Watkins’ being a dangerous paedo but it was IGNORED, police watchdog says

PAEDO rocker Ian Watkins could have been nabbed four years earlier but for cop errors, police watchdogs have ruled.

His ex-girlfriend’s tip-offs and phone clues were ignored as part of the new shocking revelation included in the Independent Police Complaints Commission’s (IPCC) latest report.

She took her laptop to Doncaster Police Station three times during that period asking for help from officers but was not taken seriously.

It says an officer with no training in child sex abuse probes was assigned to the case which raised “disturbing concerns”.

In the report, IPCC Commissioner Jan Williams is quoted as saying: “Having taken into consideration the nature and seriousness of Ms Mjadzelics’ allegations against Watkins, the inaction of some South Yorkshire police officers involved may have placed a child at risk of further abuse for several months.

“The evidence suggests that there was a general view among officers at Doncaster that Ms Mjadzelics was not to be taken seriously, and consequently enquiries were not progressed as they should have been.”

The report continues: “It is concerning that a neighbourhood police constable without specific training or support, rather than an officer from a specialist team, was expected to view and make judgement on a potential image of child sexual abuse.

“South Yorkshire Police did not handle a request for assistance from South Wales Police sufficiently thoroughly.

“I have recommended they create a policy document setting out what is expected of officers in collaborating on serious offence investigations.”

Watkins is currently serving a 35-year prison sentence for sex offences including the attempted rape of a fan’s baby.

Ms Mjadzelics herself was taken to court on child pornography charges in 2015 but was cleared by a jury after they accepted her account that she was trying to trick Watkins into revealing his crimes.

After her court case in January 2015, Ms Mjadzelics said she “went through hell” because police did not properly investigate Watkins.

She told jurors officers had ignored her warnings because she was a sex worker who they thought was a “nut job”.

The report says: “The investigation found that a request in early March 2012 from South Wales Police for assistance with allegations from Ms Mjadzelics was initially allocated to the SYP Safer Neighbourhood Team, rather than its specialist Public Protection Unit.

“This led to a police constable with no training in the investigation of child sex abuse, or in the handling and preservation of evidence in computer-related offences, conducting an initial meeting with Ms Mjadzelics at Doncaster Police Station.

“The constable did not view any image, and there was no subsequent determined effort to ascertain whether Ms Mjadzelics had evidence of child sexual abuse in her possession.

“Later, in May 2012, a constable from the PPU had been instructed by a senior officer to seize the laptop at a further meeting with Ms Mjadzelics at Doncaster Police Station and to take a statement, but neither action was undertaken.”

The document continues: “On viewing the relevant alleged close-up indecent image of a child at the meeting, officers believed it to be of an adult female.

“The investigation also considered the supervisory actions of a police sergeant over other officers involved.

“In the IPCC investigator’s opinion, there was sufficient evidence that a police constable involved could have made inappropriate remarks to Ms Mjadzelics at the police station, about the reasons why she was making allegations about Watkins.”

The report adds: “The IPCC investigation considered a range of national and force policies on child abuse enquiries, and powers of seizure under PACE.

“The IPCC is also issuing findings today in respect of how South Wales Police handled allegations against Ian Watkins.

“Ian Watkins was arrested on 21 September 2012 by South Wales Police, initially in connection with drugs offences.

“He was further arrested on 24 October 2012 on suspicion of possession of indecent images of children and of publishing an obscene article.”

Three police officers who were found to have a case to answer for gross misconduct over their inaction with regard to the allegations have all retired – meaning no action will be taken against them.

One officer who was found to have a case to answer for misconduct over alleged inappropriate remarks made to Ms Mjadzelics will face a hearing.

South Yorkshire Police have been contacted for comment.