Angharad Williamson, 34, who is serving a minimum of 28 years for the murder of her five-year-old son Logan Mwangi, attended a pre-inquest review into his death via video link from HMP Downview in Surrey. She is reportedly seeking to have her sentence reduced and has requested a former senior police officer to review her conviction for a potential appeal to the Criminal Cases Review Board.
Logan's body was found dumped in the River Ogmore near Bridgend, South Wales, in July 2021. He had suffered 56 external injuries, a torn liver, and brain trauma, consistent with a fall from a great height or a high-velocity road traffic collision, according to medical experts. Despite being on the child protection register, Logan's prior injuries—a broken arm, broken collarbone, and burns—did not trigger intervention from authorities.
Conviction and Appeals
Williamson was convicted alongside her then-partner John Cole, 41, and stepson Craig Mulligan, 14, for Logan's murder. Cole disposed of the body in the river, a location he used for fly-tipping. Williamson denied murder, claiming she was asleep during the disposal, but phone records showed she was active throughout the night. Her appeal against conviction was rejected in January 2023.
During the pre-inquest at Pontypridd Coroner's Court, coroner David Regan heard that Williamson has enlisted Tony Thompson, a former senior police officer, to conduct a pro-bono review of her case for a possible further appeal. Representatives from local health boards, social services, and South Wales Police attended the hearing.
Details of Abuse
Logan's abuse was detailed during a nine-week trial in 2022. He was treated like a prisoner in the days before his death, confined to his bedroom behind a child gate after testing positive for Covid-19. Prosecutor Caroline Rees KC stated that Williamson and Cole punished Logan for attempting to leave the room, despite knowing he would self-harm by biting himself. Rees described Williamson as "a liar" and "a selfish woman" who portrayed herself as a protective mother, calling it "a total sham."
Logan had been stepped down from "child in protection" to "child in need" just weeks before his murder, despite being on the child protection register for seven months. A further hearing into his death is scheduled for November.
