The Guardian are reporting that Lostprophets’ Ian Watkins has been charged with child sex offences. 

Watkins (second from left) has been arrested and charged as a result of an ongoing investigation into child abuse across the UK. Two other women, aged 20 and 24, have also been arrested as part of the probe. The three were questioned at Cardiff Bay police station.

South Wales police have issued the following statement: “A Pontypridd man has been charged with sexual offences against children and is due to appear at Cardiff magistrates court today. The 35-year-old has been charged with conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a female under 13 and possession/distribution of indecent images of children. In order to assist their investigation, South Wales police has named the man as Ian Watkins, a member of the rock group Lostprophets.”

The Pontypridd nu-metal outfit enjoyed major success following the release of 2000’s Thefakesoundofprogress, becoming one of the most successful UK metal acts of the decade. They released fifth LP Weapons earlier this year.