Three people have been found guilty of murdering a young schoolboy whose body was found dumped in a river near his home.
Five-year-old Logan Mwangi had been subjected to a "brutal and sustained assault" before his death, resulting in injuries usually seen in car crash victims. His body was then dumped in the River Ogmore in South Wales, WalesOnline reports.
Logan’s mother Angharad Williamson, 31, and stepdad John Cole, 40, denied his murder and a third defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons due to his age, also pleaded not guilty to murder and all three stood trial at Cardiff Crown Court.
READ MORE: Woman's tribute to 'loving' partner who died from 15ft fall just days into new roofing job
All three were also accused of perverting the course of justice, including moving Logan’s body to the river near Pandy Park, removing his clothing, washing bloodstained bed linen, and making a false missing person report to police. Williamson and Cole were also charged with causing or allowing the death of a child, which they both denied.
On Thursday afternoon the jury returned to court and gave its verdicts. All three were convicted of murder while both Williamson and the youth were found guilty of perverting the course of justice.
When she was convicted of murder Williamson collapsed to the floor and cried: “No, no, no, no, no.” Williamson also had to be held back by dock officers and cried as the hearing ended. She shouted to Cole: “You lying motherf****** murderer, you lying murderer.”
During the trial Wendy John, a learning support officer at Tondu Primary School, gave evidence about Logan. She said: “I first met Logan in 2019 when he attended pre-nursery class. He was a happy, caring, loving, and intelligent child. He was always pleasant and polite and had a wicked laugh. He always made me happy and was a perfect child. He loved school life and helping teachers. He could not do enough for us and asked us if we were okay. He was a total joy and amazing."
However, the lengthy murder trial heard how he was denied food, subjected to physical punishment, and shouted and sworn at. In live coverage from Wales Online, it was heard how the moment John Cole and the youth carried the dead body of Logan Mwangi out of the schoolboy's home was caught on CCTV.
Logan’s father Benjamin Mwangi read out the following statement on the court steps. He said: “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.”
