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A two-year-old girl has been taken into care after former Lostprohets singer Ian Watkins reportedly groomed the child’s mother from behind bars. He apparently joked about the toddler watching them have sex. Watkins is currently serving a 35-year sentence for child sex crimes.

The Sun reports that Watkins has exchanged letters and received visits from the 21-year-old woman. After telling her that he loved her, he is alleged to have suggested that she wear an engagement ring.

Though the woman said she wouldn’t let Watkins near her daughter, the child has been taken into care and her mobile phone and laptop have been confiscated.

A spokesman for the NSPCC responded to the story and said in statement: “This is an absolute shambles. We’re sickened. It’s utterly bewildering that he could carry on grooming.

“It shows contempt for children he abused, and raises serious questions about supervision.”

The woman is said to have been convinced of Watkins’ innocence. She first wrote to him in July 2016 and said that there will still people that cared about him.

A friend told the paper: “She got a letter back and he said he loved her.”

She then visited Watkins in jail last November and found that he had put on four stone in weight, had gone grey and has rotten teeth.

Last December, her daughter was taken into care and police removed her mobile phone and laptop. She is then reported to have visited Watkins again in January and once more in March.

Though Wakefield jail prison said that “nothing untoward” had been found in the letters and emails, Lincolnshire County Council said that it took child safety very seriously.

Lincolnshire Police added: “We will always take action to safeguard vulnerable adults and children.”

Watkins was convicted in 2013 of 13 child sex offences and sentenced to 35 years in prison.

More about: Lostprophets