Logan Mwangi: Three charged over death of five-year-old found in river

Mother and step-father appear in court alongside 13-year-old boy

The mother and step-father of a five-year-old boy whose body was found in a river in south Wales last week have appeared in court.

Logan Mwangi, also known as Logan Williamson, was found in the Ogmore River near Pandy Park in Bridgend on Saturday after police were called to a report of a missing child.

His step-father John Cole, 39, of Sarn, Bridgend, has been charged with his murder.

He has also been charged with perverting the course of justice alongside Logan’s mother, 30-year-old Angharad Williamson, also from Sarn, and a 13-year-old boy who cannot be identified because of his age.

The three defendants appeared separately at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, where they were remanded in custody to appear at Newport Crown Court on Friday.

Tributes left in Pandy Park in Bridgend, south Wales, near to where five-year-old Logan Mwangi was found dead in the Ogmore River (Ben Birchall/PA)

Logan’s body was found at about 5.45am on Saturday after police responded to concerns for a missing five-year-old.

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

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 and friends have paid tribute to Logan, whom they described as “kind, funny, polite, handsome and clever” on social media.

Police forensic officers in the Sarn area of Bridgend, south Wales, near to where the child’s body was found (Ben Birchall/PA)

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 had 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.

Additional reporting by Press Association