Woman charged over indecent images in Ian Watkins inquiry
A 38-year-old woman is charged with offences relating to the possession and distribution of indecent images in relation to the investigation into Lost Prophets singer Ian Watkins.
Watkins was jailed for 29 years in December after a catalogue of child abuse was revealed at Cardiff.
Joanne Mjadzelics has been charged as part of the Operation Globe investigation, the Crown Prosecution Service said.
Ms Mjadzelics has been accused of four counts of possession of an indecent image of a child and two counts of distributing an indecent image of a child.
She has also been charged with encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence of distributing an indecent image of a child.
She has been bailed to appear before Cardiff magistrates’ court on 21 March.
The charges were brought after the CPS asked South Wales Police to look into the alleged offences which date back to 2011.
Suzanne Thomas, senior crown prosecutor of CPS Wales, said: “As part of a wider police investigation, the Crown Prosecution Service was asked by South Wales Police to review evidence files relating to alleged offences committed by Joanne Mjadzelics.
“I have reviewed this evidence in accordance with the code for crown prosecutors and concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to charge Joanne Mjadzelics with four counts of possession of an indecent image, two counts of distributing an indecent image and one count of encouraging another to distribute an indecent image.
“Accordingly, I have authorised South Wales police to charge Ms Mjadzelics with these offences and she has been bailed to appear before Cardiff magistrates’ court on 21 March.
“May I remind all concerned that Joanne Mjadzelics has a right to a fair trial. It is very important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings. For these reasons, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.”