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 the victim of a “brutal and sustained assault” before his death, resulting in injuries usually seen in victims of car crashes. His body was then dumped in the River Ogmore in South Wales, WalesOnline reports.
Logan’s mother, Angharad Williamson, 31, and stepfather John Cole, 40, have denied his murder and a third defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons because of his age, has also pleaded no guilty of murder and all three were tried at Cardiff Crown Court.
READ MORE: Woman pays tribute to ‘loving’ partner who died from 15ft fall just days into new roofing job
All three were also charged with perverting the course of justice, including moving Logan’s body to the river near Pandy Park, stripping his clothes, washing bloodstained bed linens and making a false missing person report to the police. Williamson and Cole were also charged with causing or permitting the death of a child, which they both denied.
On Thursday afternoon, the jury returned to court and delivered their verdicts. All three were found guilty of murder while Williamson and the youngster were found guilty of perverting the course of justice.
When she was convicted of murder, Williamson collapsed on the floor and screamed, “No, no, no, no, no.” Williamson also had to be restrained by dock officers and cried at the end of the hearing. She yelled at Cole, “You’re lying, fucking murderer, you’re lying, murderer.”
During the trial, Wendy John, a learning support worker at Tondu Primary School, testified about Logan. She said: “I first met Logan in 2019 when he attended pre-kindergarten 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 enjoyed school life and helping teachers. He couldn’t do enough for us and asked if we were okay. He was a total and incredible joy.”
However, the lengthy murder trial learned how he was denied food, subjected to corporal punishment, shouted and cursed. In live coverage from Wales Online, it was heard how the moment John Cole and the youngster carried the corpse of Logan Mwangi out of the schoolboy’s house was caught on CCTV.
Logan’s father, Benjamin Mwangi, read the following statement on the court steps. He said: “Logan was the sweetest, most beautiful boy whose life was tragically cut short. The world is a colder, darker place without his warm smile and the cheerful energy with which he lived his life. The void left in the hearts of all who knew and loved him will never be filled.
“No time can heal the wounds that have been inflicted. The wonderful memories I have of my son will never be tarnished – they will forever remain in my heart and soul. I loved him so much and somehow on the other hand, I have to live my life knowing that I will never see him grow up to be the wonderful man he would have been.
“I would like to thank the South Wales Police and Prosecution team who have worked tirelessly to bring those responsible for my son’s murder to justice. From all of us, thank you for doing a job amazing and getting justice for my son.