Ian Watkins

I agree mental health plays a part but is no excuse. They have the maturity to know what they were doing and as far as I'm concerned they've had heir chance to live in a civilised society. Do whatever testing on them you want but I don't think they deserve another chance

Nobody is making excuses. Everyone has been careful to say that they aren't. I am not excusing what they did. I am discussing a wider picture that might apply (but might not).

And yet, it has been long- and well-established that those who have suffered abuse as a child are significantly more likely to carry out abuse on their own children. We know that traumatic childhoods can have a direct effect on adult behaviour. And while I don't argue that as adults, people abused as children should be capable of making the right decisions, it is clear that this IS NOT always the case.

Again, this is discussion, not apology. But you don't think that backgrounds can be considered* when crimes like this are perpetrated? Can we just dismiss the effect?

*I don't necessarily intend that such consideration be translated into mitigation, in a justice sense.

i kinda feel that they are

Then I think you are wrong. Sorry. Searching and exploring "explanations" for this horror does not and should not, in an open debate, be translated excusing this horror.

Perhaps you are uncomfortable with people who don't immediately respond with "Castrate him, behead him, let then rot"? Does that make you suspicious?

FTLOMB not trying to be rude but why does everything have to turn into a debate for you? There is nothing that can excuse the behaviour of the people involved here. I don't have children myself yet but I am going to openly say (without details) I did not have a good childhood and I was abused, that does not mean I am going to go on and do it to other people including my future children. I know first hand the impact abuse has on someone for the rest of their lives, as do other people who have suffered, so to someone like me it makes me even more defensive about it when it happens to other people.

I dont really know what I'm trying to say here, I just wish a case of severe sexual abuse like this wasn't being turned into a debate.

Also I apologise in advance if I have misunderstood.

Ok maybe I'm getting confused with explanations-excuses. I find it hard to comprehend that anything could explain that kind of behaviour. You could argue that they've had a rough time in the past, so have many many others. They don't think it's normal to rape a baby.

Why would I be uncomfortable with people not of the same view? I cant understand it, but sounds a bit like you're uncomfortable with my train of thought

It's ok hoddy me and footlong always end up debating this kind if shizz. I'm obviously much less understanding!

I think this is what I was trying to say. Using my own personal experiences to explain why I believe that.

I think this is what I was trying to say. Using my own personal experiences to explain why I believe that.

I don’t think anyone is “finding excuses” for the behaviour of these people. It’s an absolutely awful thing and to most of us we can’t comprehend how someone can do this. However do this they did.

Personally I think there has to be something “wrong” fundamentally with the perpetrators of the crime whether that’s abuse in their own upbringing which has seriously warped their ability to judge right from wrong or they are “wired” differently for whatever reason (like psychopaths I guess).

I’d rather people debated the possible reasons for something like this happening so we can work towards a solution to attempt to stop these things than people saying they should rot in hell etc. That solves nothing. Of course these people should be severely reprimanded/locked up etc but perhaps looking into why this occurred could help stop future abuse.

I’m also not entirely sure any of that makes sense.

I'm uncomfortable with your train of thought because it implied that I (and maybe others) were seeking to excuse these women from their crimes. I am not. Leftie liberal I may be, but I won't shed any tears or wring any hands when Watkins does (what I feel is) the inevitable and tops himself with his own shoelaces, or if these women spend more time in a prison hospital than in a cell.

That's because you're a "string 'em up" right winger and I'm a bleeding heart liberal...?

Actually yes I think he should be strung up- by his balls so you're right there

I understand what you're saying but as a mother of an 11 month old baby I can't grasp how they could do or plan what they did to their own babies no matter what the circumstances of their life - that is what I meant about not caring about their backgrounds or what has happened to them before.

Responding to the lefties, this whole story is so far removed from my "normality" that I cannot begin to try to understand why these people did such awful things. It's like trying to imagine how big the universe is or trying to imagine a colour I've never seen. I can't do it. I wouldn't know where to start trying to do it.

Lostprophets had quite a large fanbase during their prime and I am sure there are still quite a few obsessive fans out there. It occured to me that he probably spent a lot of time 'filtering' fans to find those more open to his suggestions. I would have thought they had some very young teeny-bopper fans as well back in the **** period. I wouldn't be surprised if more girls come forward that would have been underage at the time (let's say young teens) who were enthralled by the thought of him but are a bit wiser now.

From what I have read (and the details are horrific), he seems to have been in a downward spiral for the last five years. From a rational, normal (I think) perspective what the hell happened in that time to allow him to be able to carry out such hideous crimes. Has he always had those urges or did something happen that altered his thinking and concept of right/wrong? I don't think we will ever know the answer, as he may not be aware of what changed himself and I agree with Footers - he's likely to top himself.

I read some, but purposely didn't read much. Apparently crystal meth was involved and when he was shown the videos, he couldn't remember filming them.

Just hope he didn't change his plea inorder to get a lighter sentance!I as others have said, he deserves to rot!

This. It wouldn't matter how much I loved someone, they lay a finger on my child they die. Simple.

I can't even begin to understand why any of them did what they did. I also can't begin to understand what their friends and family are going through. I did read (and don't know how true it is) that the band mates have took a dignified silence during on onslaught of cyber trolls.

I used to like lost prophets ten years ago, I had the album with last train home and rooftops. My brain can't seem to make the link between then and now, society suggests because of this event I should dislike the music now too.

I was dancing to "Rock & Roll Christmas" on Saturday night and totally forgot it was Gary Glitter.