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Paving stones engraved with Lostprophets lyrics in the hometown of the convicted paedophile Ian Watkins are set to be removed 'as soon as possible', according to Pontypridd council.
The ten stones were laid down in former frontman Ian Watkins' home town in 2012 in celebration of the area's cultural history, featuring lyrics from the band's song 'Streets of Nowhere'. Earlier this month, Local Labour Welsh assembly member Mick Antoniw called for the slabs to be ripped up. Said lyrics include: "Every time I walk these streets I know they're mine"
Now, Rhondda Cynon Taf (RTF) council has confirmed the decision for them to be removed.
A spokesman said: "Rhondda Cynon Taf Council can confirm that granite paving featuring song lyrics written by convicted paedophile Ian Watkins will be removed from the streetscape of Pontypridd as soon as possible."
In an interview with The Guardian, Antoniw explained that there was a lot of local pride in the band, but since Watkins convictions "the feeling is that it should be ripped up now."
He continued: "It's not something that the council should make a song and dance about but I think that these pavings should be discretely removed."
Last month, Watkins admitted charges of attempting to rape a baby, as well as the sexual assault of a child under 13. He also admitted three counts of sexual assault involving children and six involving taking, making and possessing indecent images of children and one of possessing an extreme pornographic image involving a sex act on an animal. The court was told how Watkins had extreme illegal pornography on his computers, had boasted of wanting to blow meth smoke in a baby's face, and even filmed encounters he'd had with 16-year-old Lostprophets fans in school uniforms.
Earlier this week it emerged that Watkins could have earned up to £100,000 in royalties since his arrest last year. Songwriters in Britain are entitled to a cut of the profits whenever their music is played on TV, radio or online through a licensing agreement with the Performing Rights Society.
Ian Watkins, 35 from Pontypridd, will be sentenced on Wednesday (18 December, 2013).
