Mum, stepdad and youth found guilty of murdering Logan Mwangi, five, after months of abuse

A mother and stepfather have been convicted of murdering five-year-old Logan Mwangi after holding him like a prisoner during a campaign of abuse.

His beaten body was found dumped in the River Ogmore “like flytipped rubbish” – just 250 metres from his home in Sarn, Bridgend in south Wales, on 31 July last year.

Angharad Williamson, 31, and John Cole, 40, were convicted on Thursday of killing Logan after a jury deliberated for five hours at Cardiff Crown Court.

A 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was also found guilty of murder.

As the verdicts were read out, Williamson fell to the ground and screamed “no, no, no.”

Judge Mrs Justice Jefford interrupted the jury before the youth’s verdict was given and told Williamson: “Out of respect for your son and the youth please be quiet for the verdicts.”

As custody officers led her from the dock, Williamson shouted at Cole: “You lying motherf**king murderer. You liar.”

Prosecutors told the trial how police discovered Logan’s partially submerged body wearing a pair of dinosaur pyjama bottoms and a Spider-Man top.

Examinations showed Logan, a smiling, “cheerful little boy” had sustained 56 external cuts and bruises, and “catastrophic” internal injuries – which were likened to a high-speed road accident, the court heard.

Experts said the injuries could have only been caused by a “brutal and sustained assault” inflicted on Logan in the hours, or days, prior to his death.

They also said the injuries were “consistent with child abuse”.

The court heard that in the months leading up to his death, Logan had been “dehumanised” by his family.

His stammer is said to have worsened and he became particularly bad around Cole, jurors heard. He wet himself more frequently and began self-harming.

Weeks before he died, Logan suffered a broken collarbone but never received medical treatment.

On 20 July last year, Logan tested positive for Covid-19 and was shut in his bedroom. A baby gate fixed to the door effectively barred him from leaving.

Prosecutor Caroline Rees QC said: “[Logan] had been kept like a prisoner in his small bedroom in the flat, a room likened by Williamson as a dungeon.”

Williamson claimed that two days before Logan’s body was found an argument about a spilt drink escalated and ended with Cole and the teenager attacking him.

She accused Cole of punching Logan twice in the stomach and ordering the youth to “sweep” Logan if he stuttered or flinched.

The youth then carried out a martial arts-style manoeuvre, kicking his legs out from under him while using his hand to slam his head to the ground.

Williamson said she screamed for them to stop but said Cole replied: “The only way this boy understands is pain.”

Jurors watched CCTV footage of Cole carrying Logan’s body to the river from the flat at 2.43am on 31 July last year while being followed by the youth. Cole admitted the charge.

The pair were captured again on video as they returned to the property for the dinosaur pyjama top Logan had been wearing. It was recovered with a large rip in it.

Williamson claimed in court she had been asleep all night but CCTV showed the lights in Logan’s room being turned on and off and the curtains being opened.

Investigations revealed she had used her phone at the time to watch videos on YouTube.

Later that day she made a frantic call to the police to report Logan missing, and jurors were shown bodycam footage of a hysterical Williamson as officers arrived at her home. The youth was seen walking around the area calling for Logan.

Cole said he woke to the sound of Williamson screaming Logan was dead and he panicked.

But it was all part of an “elaborate” plan, and Williamson and youth were convicted of perverting the course of justice.

The youth did not give evidence during the trial.

Mrs Justice Jefford adjourned the case for sentencing at a date to be fixed.