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A former girlfriend of depraved Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins has been charged with possessing and distributing indecent images of children.

Joanne Mjadzelics, 38, has been charged with seven counts and will appear at court later this month.

Watkins was jailed for 29 years in December after a horrendous catalogue of child abuse was revealed at Cardiff Crown Court.

The Crown Prosecution Service says there is "sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest" to charge Ms Mjadzelics.

She is charged 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.

The possession charges relate to images categorised as Level Four, the second most serious.

Suzanne Thomas, Senior Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service 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.”

Ms Mjadzelics has been charged with:

* Four counts of possession of an indecent image of a child (level 4), contrary to Section 160 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (offences dated between 7 May 2011 and 16 May 2011);

* Two counts of distributing an indecent image of a child (level 1), contrary to Section 1 (1)(b) of the Protection of Children Act 1978 (offences dated 30 September 2011);

* One count of encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence of distributing and indecent image of a child, contrary to Section 45 of the Serious Crime Act 2007 (offence dated between 9 May 2011 and 17 May 2011).