Ian Watkins, singer of Welsh rock band Lostprophets, has pleaded guilty to a series of 'depraved' child sex offences including attempted rape of a baby.

He had previously 'furiously denied' the allegations.

The 36-year-old from Pontypridd and two women had been due to stand trial at Cardiff Crown Court.

Watkins pleaded guilty to attempted rape and sexual assault of a child under 13 but not guilty to rape. This was accepted by the prosecution.

Sentencing will take place on 18 December.

Prosecuting barrister Chris Clee QC told the court: 'Ian Watkins was the lead singer in a successful band called the Lostprophets.

'He accepts he was a determined and committed paedophile.'

Watkins also admitted three counts of sexual assault involving children and six involving taking, making or possessing indecent images of children and one of possessing an extreme pornographic image involving a sex act on an animal.

The evidence against the defendant came from computers, laptops and mobile phones.

One laptop seized from Watkins's home was password protected with an obscenity relating to sexual activity with children, which was uncovered when it was sent to GCHQ to be cracked.

The court heard that he filmed and kept the episodes of abuse - which took place in various hotels in London and south Wales - which.