The pain etched on the face of Logan Mwangi's father was too much to bear as he described his "sweetest and most beautiful boy". He was speaking on the steps of Cardiff Crown Court just minutes after seeing three people convicted of his Paw Patrol-loving son's murder.
Benjamin Mwangi spoke of his love for the son he will "never get to see grow up" and said the hole that had been been left in the hearts of all who knew him would "never be filled." He described how the world was now a "colder and darker place".
Logan's mother Angharad Williamson, 30, of Lower Llansantffraid, Sarn, Bridgend, and stepdad John Cole, 40, of Maesglas, Ynysawdre, Bridgend, were found guilty of his murder on Thursday. A third defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons due to his age, was also found guilty at Cardiff Crown Court. The youth and Williamson were also convicted of perverting the course of justice, which Cole had admitted.
Read more: The chilling 'sham' 999 call made by Logan Mwangi's mother
We have been covering the trial live from court and you can recap everything so far, and follow what happened in court here. The trio will be sentenced at a later date.
Mr Mwangi spoke after the jury delivered their verdicts, saying: "Logan was the sweetest and most beautiful boy whose life has been tragically cut short. The world is a colder and darker place without his warm smile and the happy energy with which he lived his life.
"The hole that has been left in the hearts of all who knew and loved him will never be filled. No amount of time can heal the wounds that have been inflicted.
"The wonderful memories I have of my son will never be tarnished – they will forever be in my heart and soul. I loved him so much and somehow I have to live my life knowing that I will never get to see him grow up to be the wonderful man he would have been.
"I would like to thank South Wales Police and the prosecution team who have worked tirelessly to bring those responsible for my son’s murder to court. From all of us thank you for doing an amazing job and for getting justice for my son."
Logan was found dead on July 31 last year in the River Ogmore near Pandy Park in Bridgend. The schoolboy had suffered injuries one pathologist described as "so extreme you would expect to find them as a result of a fall from a great height or a high-velocity road traffic accident".
During the trial a statement from Mr Mwangi had been read to the court. You can see it in full here. Speaking about the moment he learnt of his son's death he said: “I was in work in Essex when sometime between 2pm and 2.30pm officers came to see me at work. Just prior to this I received a phone call from my brother but I could not make much sense from him – he was quite erratic. All I remember was him telling me the police were there and he would call back.
“I said to my colleague something must be seriously wrong. My father had been unwell so I thought it was something wrong with my father. When police arrived I went in the back office with them and asked if something had happened to my father. When they said it wasn’t father my thoughts instantly turned to Logan. I said: ‘Please tell me this isn’t anything to do with Logan’ and then they told me Logan had passed away.
“I was hysterical and fell to the floor. I left work without telling anyone what had happened and police took me home. My mother Pauline Mwangi and brother Zack Mwangi were at my home.”
Mr Mwangi said he was given contact details for an officer at South Wales Police but did not call as he was “unable to process information”. The next day Mr Mwangi said he felt “numb” and couldn’t comprehend what had happened. He was later contacted by an officer and told three people had been arrested on suspicion of Logan’s murder but the information “did not seem real”.
Police also paid tribute to the "innocent" five-year-old following the conclusion of the trial. Senior investigating officer detective inspector Lianne Rees, of the South Wales Police major crime investigations Team, said: “Logan was a beautiful, bright, and innocent five-year-old little boy with his whole life ahead of him.
“It is difficult to imagine how Logan must have suffered at the hands of those who he trusted and inconceivable that those who should have loved and protected him betrayed him in the worst possible way. Attempts to cover up the crime in the hours following Logan’s death and the subsequent web of lies and deceit that were to follow are an indication of their callousness and lack of remorse.
“The impact of Logan’s tragic death on so many people cannot be measured. Nothing can bring Logan back but I hope that today’s outcome will bring some comfort to those who loved him. We will continue to provide specialist support to those affected and I would like to encourage those from the local community who continue to be affected to reach out for support.
“I would also like to pay tribute to the professionalism displayed by police officers and emergency service colleagues who were faced with the most traumatic scenes imaginable back in July of last year and thank my team of detectives who have worked tirelessly on this investigation, together with the Crown Prosecution Service and prosecution counsel. The efforts of all involved have contributed to today’s outcome.”
