Three people appear in court over death of five-year-old Logan Mwangi

Three people have appeared in court over the death of five-year-old Logan Mwangi, whose body was found in a river in South Wales last week.

John Cole, 39, of Sarn, Bridgend, is charged with Logan's murder and perverting the course of justice. He appeared at Cardiff Magistrates' Court on Thursday and spoke only to confirm his name, age and address. 

Logan's mother and Mr Cole's partner, 30-year-old Angharad Williamson from Sarn, and a 13-year-old boy, who cannot be named due to his age, went before magistrates on Thursday in a separate hearing.

They are jointly charged with perverting the course of justice, along with Mr Cole.

All three will appear before Newport Crown Court on Friday 6 August.

Logan's body was found in the Ogmore River near Pandy Park in Bridgend on Saturday 31 July after police were called to a report of a missing child.

He was taken to the Princess of Wales Hospital, where it was confirmed he had died.

On Thursday, the court heard from the Crown Prosecution Service that Logan sustained severe injuries before his death.

The courtroom was told that his cause of death was found to be a torn liver, while he had also suffered an internal injury to the back of his head and a broken collarbone.

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Mark O'Shea said: "This is a very harrowing case for all involved and I extend my deepest sympathies to Logan's family and friends.

"This remains an extensive and sensitive investigation by the Major Crime Investigation Team and I am grateful to the local community for its support and understanding while we have continued to gather evidence across several scenes.

"We continue to appeal to anyone who has any information in relation to the incident to contact the Major Crime Investigation Team."

Family friends have paid tribute to Logan, who they described as "kind, funny, polite, handsome & clever", on social media.

Those wishing to pay their respects were asked to place teddy bears at a lamp-post and footbridge near the scene of the tragedy.

People arrived throughout Sunday and Monday to lay flowers, tributes, toys and teddies in front of the police cordon by the river.

Many of those who came to lay tributes said they did not know Logan or his family but travelled to the area after hearing news of his death.

Anyone with information is asked to contact South Wales Police via mipp.police.uk.

Alternatively, they can call 101 quoting reference number 2100268674.