The mom and stepfather of five-year-old Logan Mwangi, whose battered physique was discovered dumped in a river, are set to learn the way lengthy they may spend in jail for murdering him.
John Cole, 40, Angharad Williamson, 31, and a 14-year-old boy, who can’t be named due to his age, shall be sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court docket on Thursday after being convicted of Logan’s homicide.
Each Williamson and the youth have been convicted of an additional cost of perverting the course of justice – an offence Cole had admitted earlier than trial.
Mrs Justice Jefford will impose life sentences however has to repair the minimal time period of custody every defendant has to serve earlier than they will apply for parole.
Logan, a beforehand “smiling, cheerful little boy”, was found within the River Ogmore in Pandy Park, Bridgend, South Wales, on the morning of July 31, 2021.
Logan Mwangi was murdered by his mom, stepfather and a 14-year-old boy at his residence in Bridgend (South Wales Police/PA)
(PA Media)
Police discovered him partially submerged, carrying dinosaur pyjama bottoms and a Spider-Man prime, simply 250 metres from his residence.
In the course of the trial, Cardiff Crown Court docket heard the teen had suffered 56 exterior cuts and bruises, and “catastrophic” inside accidents, which have been likened to a high-speed highway accident.
Specialists mentioned the accidents might have solely been attributable to a “brutal and sustained assault” inflicted on Logan within the hours, or days, prior his demise. Additionally they mentioned the accidents have been “according to youngster abuse”.
Within the months and weeks main as much as his demise, Logan had been “dehumanised” by his household, prosecutors mentioned.
Logan’s stammer is alleged to have worsened, turning into significantly unhealthy round Cole. He moist himself extra steadily and commenced self-harming.
Pals of the couple mentioned Cole informed them he didn’t like Logan, and others mentioned his angle modified after turning into obsessive about the concept Williamson had cheated with Logan’s father Ben Mwangi.
After Williamson gave start to Cole’s personal youngster, Cole was reluctant to let Logan see the newborn and later claimed the boy had tried to smother the toddler.
Police footage of Logan’s mom Angharad Williamson (South Wales Police/PA)
(PA Media)
Medics made a safeguarding referral to the police after Logan suffered a damaged arm in August 2020.
By March, as a consequence of considerations over Cole, Logan and his youthful sibling had been assigned their very own social employee.
In June, a month earlier than Logan died, the household have been faraway from the kid safety register – that means it was believed there was not a threat of great hurt.
A foster household the youth stayed with claimed to have heard him say he wished to kill Logan.
A help employee additionally heard the youth singing: “I really like youngsters, I f****** love youngsters, I like to punch youngsters within the head, it’s orgasmic.”
Weeks earlier than he died, Logan suffered a damaged collarbone however medical remedy was by no means searched for him.
On July 20, Logan examined optimistic for Covid-19 and he was shut in his bed room with a child gate barring him from leaving.
Caroline Rees QC, prosecuting, mentioned: “He had been saved like a prisoner in his small bed room within the flat you noticed, a room likened by Williamson as a dungeon.”
