BRIDGEND MURDER: ANGHARAD WILLIAMSON, JOHN COLE, AND CRAIG MULLIGAN SENTENCED FOR LOGAN MWANGI'S BRUTAL KILLING
In a tragic and disturbing case that shocked the community of Bridgend, a young boy named Logan Mwangi was brutally murdered in July 2021, leading to a high-profile trial at Cardiff Crown Court.The defendants—Angharad Williamson, aged 31, her partner John Cole, aged 40, and their 14-year-old stepbrother Craig Mulligan—were all found guilty of Logan’s murder and related charges, culminating in severe sentences handed down in June 2022.
Logan Mwangi, a five-year-old boy from Sarn, Bridgend County, suffered catastrophic injuries that ultimately led to his death.
The prosecution described the injuries as severe and comparable to those inflicted in high-velocity car crashes or falls from significant heights.
Logan’s body was discovered in the River Ogmore, just 250 meters from his home, on July 31, 2021, after being dumped there in a manner likened to discarding rubbish.
The evidence presented during the trial revealed that Logan had endured a brutal assault at his home, which left him with 56 severe cuts, bruises, and internal injuries, including a torn liver, bowel, and duodenum.
Testimony from medical experts indicated that the injuries were consistent with sustained child abuse, inflicted in the hours or days prior to his death.
The court heard that Logan had been subjected to a series of neglectful and violent acts, including being confined in his room with a baby gate during his illness with Covid-19, and being treated as if he was a prisoner.
CCTV footage from nearby houses captured the movements of Cole and the teenage defendant on the night of the murder, showing them moving Logan’s body to the river and later returning to retrieve his dinosaur pyjama top, which was found in a wooded area with a large cut.
Throughout the trial, the defendants accused each other of harming Logan.
Williamson, in her police interviews, initially claimed she believed her son had gone missing, but later shifted blame onto Cole, alleging he had physically assaulted Logan.
Williamson admitted to feeling frightened of Cole, citing his past prison record and claimed he had connections that made her feel unsafe.
She described her relationship with Logan as “beautiful” and expressed her love for him, even taking pictures of him and describing her joy at having him in her life.
John Cole, who had previously pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice, testified that he had tried to save Logan after discovering him unresponsive, performing CPR and blowing into his mouth, but ultimately could do nothing to revive him.
He recounted that Williamson told him Logan had died in a “freak accident,” and he later moved Logan’s body, believing he was following Williamson’s instructions.
Cole also admitted to hitting Logan in the stomach two or three times and to instructing Mulligan to “let him have it,” during an attack that involved Cole punching Logan and Mulligan sweeping him to the ground.
The teenage defendant, Mulligan, who was just 13 at the time, was seen on CCTV accompanying Cole, who was carrying Logan’s body, to the river.
Mulligan also helped discard Logan’s ripped pyjama top and was heard making threats to kill Logan.
Mulligan, who trained in Muay Thai, was accused of physically assaulting Logan, including knocking him to the ground and pressing his head against the floor.
His identity was protected during the trial due to his age, but following the jury’s guilty verdict, the court lifted the restrictions, allowing his name and details to be reported.
During the trial, emotional scenes unfolded as Williamson collapsed crying “no, no, no,” and both she and Cole accused each other of causing Logan’s injuries.
The court heard that Logan’s mental health had deteriorated in the weeks before his death, with his stammer worsening, frequent wetting, and signs of self-harm.
The prosecution highlighted that Logan was dehumanized by his family, with Cole reportedly calling him “Coco Pop” because of his mixed race, reflecting racist tendencies.
All three defendants denied murder, with Cole and Williamson also denying causing or allowing the death of a child.
However, the jury found them guilty after an eight-week trial.
Cole was sentenced to a minimum of 29 years before parole eligibility, Williamson to 28 years, and Mulligan received a life sentence with a minimum of 15 years.
The sentences reflect the gravity of the crime and the severe injuries inflicted upon Logan.
In the aftermath, the court addressed the disturbing nature of the case, emphasizing the failure of the family to protect Logan and the brutality of his treatment.
The judge commended the jury for their service and expressed hope that the verdict would bring some measure of justice for Logan Mwangi, whose young life was tragically cut short in Bridgend.
