John Cole, 40, Angharad Williamson, 31, and Craig Mulligan, 14, have been given life sentences for the murder of five-year-old Logan Mwangi. Cole must serve a minimum of 29 years, Williamson at least 28 years, and Mulligan at least 15 years. The trio were convicted of killing Logan in July 2021 and dumping his body in the River Ogmore near his home in Sarn, Bridgend county.
At Cardiff Crown Court, Mrs Justice Jefford described the attack on the 'defenceless' schoolboy, who weighed just 3st 1lb (20kg), as 'nothing short of horrifying'. She rejected Williamson's version of events, stating that her claim of trying to get help was 'made up after the event to protect yourself and shift the blame'. The judge added that Williamson had an opportunity to protect her son but 'did nothing'.
Police found Logan partially submerged in the river, wearing his dinosaur pyjama bottoms and a Spider-Man top. The prosecution said his body was dumped like 'fly-tipped rubbish'. During the trial, jurors heard how Logan was treated like a prisoner in the days before his death. After testing positive for Covid-19, he was shut in his bedroom for 10 days with a baby gate preventing him from leaving.
The court heard that Logan's stammer worsened, he wet himself more frequently, and began self-harming. CCTV footage showed Cole and Mulligan moving Logan's body in a sports bag to the river at 2:43 am on 31 July. The judge noted that the cover-up was 'careful and calculated and not the product of panic'. Logan suffered 56 'catastrophic' injuries, including extensive bruising to the back of his head and tears in his liver and bowel.
Logan's father, Ben Mwangi, wept as his victim impact statement was read out, describing his devastation at not being able to protect his son. The judge told the trio they were 'all responsible for Logan's death and all the anguish that has flowed from it', concluding that the attack was 'the sort of injuries seen in abused children'.
