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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Steven Morris and agency

Mother accused of killing child, five, screamed ‘I want my son’, jury told

Angharad Williamson, 30, and her partner, John Cole, 39, in the dock at Cardiff crown court.
Angharad Williamson, 30, (left) and her partner, John Cole, 39, (right) in the dock at Cardiff crown court. Photograph: Elizabeth Cook/PA

A mother accused of murdering her five-year-old child was heard screaming: “What have you done with my son?” on the morning his body was discovered by police in a river, a jury has been told.

Logan Mwangi, also known as Logan Williamson, was found in the River Ogmore close to his home in the village of Sarn, south Wales, having suffered 56 injuries to his face, head and body, Cardiff crown court has heard.

His mother, Angharad Williamson, 30, his stepfather John Cole, 40, and a 14-year-old boy, who cannot legally be identified, are on trial for his murder.

Paula Heath, a witness, told the jury on Friday that she was staying with her partner nearby when she was woken at about 5am on the day Logan’s body was found – 31 July 2021 – by the sound of a man and woman “bickering”.

Floral tributes near the scene where the body of Logan Mwangi was found last year in Sarn near Bridgend, Wales
Floral tributes near the scene where the body of Logan Mwangi was found last year in Sarn near Bridgend, Wales. Photograph: Matthew Horwood/Getty

She said she heard the woman yelling: “What have you done with my son? Where is my son? I want my son.” She claimed a male voice shouted in reply: “I have done nothing with your son.”

Heath told the court the woman sounded “hysterical”, adding: “The only way you could describe it was sheer panic. She was shouting: ‘Logan, Logan,’ and: ‘The back door’s open, he’s got no shoes on, he’s got no socks on.’”

Later, Heath said, she saw Williamson run towards a police officer in her nightdress and bare feet and shouted: “He’s my son. You’re telling me nothing.”

The jury has been told Williamson’s behaviour, including making a 999 call to police to report Logan missing, was part of a plan concocted by the three defendants to cover up their role in his death.

Williamson and the youth deny committing murder and perverting the course of justice. Cole denies murder but admits perverting the course of justice.

Logan’s mother claims to have put her son to bed the night before his body was found and to have woken to find him missing.

Williamson’s close friend Rhiannon Hales told the court Logan was “amazing”. She said: “He had the best little smile. He was always happy and smiling – a typical mummy’s boy. He loved his mum.”

Hales told the jury that Williamson and Cole had a stricter parenting style than her but she said there was “nothing to suggest anything other than a strict parent”. She said the boy was “quieter” and “less playful” around Cole, whom he called his dad.

The trial continues.

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