Benjamin Mwangi spoke on the steps of Cardiff Crown Court just minutes after seeing three people convicted for his son’s death, saying his “wonderful” memories of Logan will “never be tarnished”
The grieving father of Logan Mwangi has paid tribute to his “sweetest boy” whom he tragically “won’t see grow up”.
Benjamin Mwangi spoke on the steps of Cardiff Crown Court just minutes after seeing three people convicted of his son’s murder – his mum Angharad Williamson, stepdad John Cole, 40, and an unarmed youth.
Mr Mwangi spoke after the jury delivered their verdicts, saying: “Logan was the sweetest and most beautiful boy whose life has been tragically cut short. The world is a colder and darker place without his warm smile and the happy energy with which he lived his life.
“The hole that has been left in the hearts of all who knew and loved him will never be filled. No amount of time can heal the wounds that have been inflicted.
“The wonderful memories I have of my son will never be tarnished – they will forever be in my heart and soul. I loved him so much and somehow I have to live my life knowing that I will never get to see him grow up to be the wonderful man he would have been.
The father of five-year-old Logan Mwangi has paid tribute to his son as “the sweetest and most beautiful boy”.
Ben Mwangi was in court to hear the guilty verdicts against three people convicted of murdering his son.
Stepfather John Cole, 40, and mother Angharad Williamson, 31, of Sarn, Bridgend, were convicted of killing Logan Mwangi by a jury of five men and seven women at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday after five hours of deliberation.
A 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named because of his age, was also found guilty of murder.
Ben Mwangi said in a statement: “Logan was the sweetest and most beautiful boy whose life has been tragically cut short.
“The world is a colder and darker place without his warm smile and the happy energy with which he lived his life.
The hole that has been left in the hearts of all who knew and loved him will never be filled. No amount of time can heal the wounds that have been inflicted.”
Ben Mwangi continued: “The wonderful memories I have of my son will never be tarnished – they will forever be in my heart and soul.
“I loved him so much and somehow I have to live my life knowing that I will never get to see him grow up to be the wonderful man he would have been.
“I would like to thank South Wales Police and the prosecution team who have worked tirelessly to bring those responsible for my son’s murder to court.
“From all of us, thank you for doing an amazing job and for getting justice for my son.”
‘Abuse’
Logan, a previously “smiling, cheerful little boy”, was discovered in the River Ogmore in Pandy Park, Bridgend, South Wales, on the morning of July 31 2021.
Police officers found him partially submerged wearing a pair of dinosaur pyjama bottoms and a Spider-Man top just 250 metres from his home.
The youngster had suffered 56 external cuts and bruises, and “catastrophic” internal injuries, which were likened to a high-speed road accident.
Experts said the injuries could have only been caused by a “brutal and sustained assault” inflicted on Logan in the hours, or days, prior his death. They also said the injuries were “consistent with child abuse”.
“When they said it wasn’t father my thoughts instantly turned to Logan. I said: ‘Please tell me this isn’t anything to do with Logan’ and then they told me Logan had passed away.
“I was hysterical and fell to the floor. I left work without telling anyone what had happened and police took me home. My mother Pauline Mwangi and brother Zack Mwangi were at my home.”
Mr Mwangi said he was given contact details for an officer at South Wales Police but did not call as he was “unable to process information”. The next day Mr Mwangi said he felt “numb” and couldn’t comprehend what had happened. He was later contacted by an officer and told three people had been arrested on suspicion of Logan’s murder but the information “did not seem real”.
Police also paid tribute to the “innocent” five-year-old following the conclusion of the trial. Senior investigating officer detective inspector Lianne Rees, of the South Wales Police major crime investigations Team, said: “Logan was a beautiful, bright, and innocent five-year-old little boy with his whole life ahead of him.