The father of Logan Mwangi said he suffers nightmares about his murdered son who comes running into his arms for a hug but disappears. He paid tribute to Logan, describing him as "the sweetest and most beautiful boy".
The five-year-old was brutally murdered by his mother Angharad Williamson, stepfather John Cole and ayouth at his home in Bridgend before being dumped in the River Ogmore while wearing mismatched dinosaur and Spiderman pyjamas. He suffered catastrophic injuries before his death including blunt force trauma to his abdomen and a bleed on the brain. Get live updates from the murder sentencing here.
Williamson reported Logan missing on the morning of July 31 last year shortly before police discovered the youngster's lifeless body in the river. CCTV footage later revealed Cole and the youth removed Logan's body in the early hours of the morning as Williamson switched the light in Logan's bedroom on and off.
Read more: Logan Mwangi's father says son's brutal murder 'doesn't seem real'
The defendants all received a sentence of life imprisonment after they were convicted of murder following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court. You can recap the hearing in full here.
In a statement read out to the sentencing hearing on Thursday Logan's father Ben Mwangi described how he collapsed on being told his son was dead. He also spoke about the moment his son's mother was among those responsible for his death.
He said: "On Saturday, July 31, 2021 I was at my place of work when police officers came and told me about the death of Logan. They told me that his body had been found in the River Ogmore in the early hours of the morning. I couldn't believe what I was hearing, I felt so confused. I just collapsed on the floor and hit my head. I just felt like every fibre in my body had died and couldn't stop crying.
"I couldn't understand how something like this could have happened to my son. The rest of the day was a blur as I waited for more information. It was so painful. The following day I was made aware that Logan's mother had been arrested on suspicion of his murder. I am just devastated that I couldn't have been there to protect him.
"The last 10 months have been hell for me. I experienced a little anxiety when I was younger but this has been majorly exacerbated since the death of Logan. I can't sleep and keep experiencing re-occurring nightmares. My dreams of Logan are so vivid. Logan comes to tell me that he is okay and to check if I'm okay. He runs into my arms and I hold him tight but he then slowly disappears until he's no longer in my arms. I wake up screaming and crying. I find it difficult to go back to sleep. I don't want to go back to sleep because I don't want to experience these dreams because they are so painful. I am still continuing to receive counselling from 2Wish Upon A Star to help support me through this difficult period in my life. I shouldn't have to bury my son.
"When I did return to work I lost confidence in doing my role. I am usually the person my manager can rely on to help out, to swap and change shifts, but I found that now I couldn't work on my own and felt uncomfortable dealing with customers.
"My family have been a massive support for me. However they are also grieving. My father was already unwell but as soon as he heard of Logan's death he told me that he had given up and was ready to go. My father's health quickly deteriorated and he also passed away in December 2021. This has also caused further anguish to my family and I . My social group has also been impacted to the point of collapse. I can't go out with friends anymore because I don't want to go to busy places. Everyone knows of Logan's death and I find that people are always looking at me but don't know how to treat me or what to say. So I'd rather not go out.
"At this moment I have extreme trust issues. I can't see a future in another relationship or having more children because I don't want something like this to ever happen to me again. I have accepted that this is my life now.
"Logan was the sweetest and most beautiful boy whose life has been tragically cut short. The world is a colder and darker place without this 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 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."
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