A small shrine to murdered five-year-old Logan Mwangi has been left after most of the tributes left in outpouring of anger and sadness at the boy's death were cleared. Some of the tributes had become "weathered", said a housing association.
Five-year-old Logan was found dead on July 31 last year in the River Ogmore in Sarn, Bridgend. His mother Angharad Williamson, 31, of Lower Llansantffraid, and stepfather John Cole, 40, of Maesglas in Ynysawdre, and stepbrother Craig Mulligan, 14, also of Maesglas, were found guilty of his murder and jailed for a combined 72 years.
Countless teddy bears were left next to the river at Lower Llansantffraid in memory of the child who was often seen carrying one to school. The toys were surrounded by candle jars and flower bouquets alongside messages to mark dates that Logan never got to see, such as his sixth birthday.
Read next: 'Kind' young mum killed in house inferno after fire started by child playing with lighter
Valleys To Coast Housing, which manages the land, has now removed the vast majority of items from the shrine. Among those remaining are five cherub sculptures, a couple of colourful pinwheels and some stones painted with messages such as "Justice for Logan" and "Forever 5". Another reads: "When you lose someone you love you gain an angel you know."
A spokeswoman for the housing association said: "We have been mindful and respectful of the feelings of the community and worked alongside Bridgend County Borough Council and South Wales Police to follow guidance and have sensitive conversations with the neighbouring communities. Following the feedback we’ve gathered, and because some of the tributes left at the site have weathered over time, we have cleared some of them but left many in place. We have also been working with local councillors and the community council to discuss a permanent memorial for Logan, which we hope to share news about soon."
The shrine as it used to be:
It comes as the future of the home where Logan was killed is under discussion. A decision is yet to be made on the fate of the Lower Llansantffraid home which has been boarded up since shortly after the murder. Logan and Williamson had lived in the ground-floor flat and another tenant was upstairs.
Valleys To Coast Housing, which manages the building, said in a statement: "Whilst we have awaited the formal conclusion of this tragic case and subsequent closure of the two tenancies involved we have had informal conversations with people in the local community and will continue to be sensitive to their needs and feelings. We are currently in discussions with Bridgend County Borough Council about next steps.”
In 2014 the Welsh Government demolished the Ceinws cottage where paedophile Mark Bridger had murdered five-year-old April Jones. Her parents said they were glad to see the destruction of the "house of evil". Some of Logan's neighbours spoke to us earlier this year about what they felt should happen to the Lower Llansantffraid home.
During the attack Logan suffered the kind of injuries usually seen in car crash victims before his body was thrown into the river. As well as their murder convictions Williamson and Mulligan were found guilty of perverting the course of justice, an offence which Cole had already admitted. Cole was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 29 years in jail, Williamson to life imprisonment with a minimum of 28 years, and Mulligan to 15 years as well as remaining on licence for life. You can read more about the case here.
Read next:
