Social services face questions over tragic five-year-old Logan Mwangi's murder

22 April 2022, 00:01 | Updated: 22 April 2022, 00:06

Logan Mwangi was murdered by his mother
Logan Mwangi was murdered by his mother. Picture: Shutterstock/Handout

By Will Taylor

A social services investigation has been launched as five-year-old Logan Mwangi's mother was convicted of his murder.

An inquiry into whether the child could have been saved will also consider whether improvements are needed to safeguarding practices throughout Wales to ensure other youngsters are protected.

Logan was killed in July last year, a month after social workers in Bridgend took him and a younger sibling off the child protection register.

That meant they were thought to no longer be at risk of serious harm.

But Logan would instead go on to suffer "catastrophic" internal injuries consistent with a "brutal and sustained assault" that was compared to a car crash.

Read more: Mother howls as she is found guilty with stepfather and teen of murder of Logan Mwangi, 5

His body was found by police in the River Ogmore, having suffered 56 external injuries.

His mother, Angharad Williamson, 31, was convicted of his murder at Cardiff Crown Court along with Logan's stepfather John Cole, 40, and a 14-year-old boy.

Williamson could be heard screaming "no, no, no" from the dock as the jury found her guilty of murdering her son.

Logan Mwangi: Boy’s father and police make statements after three are convicted of murder

Mrs Justice Jefford told her: "Out of respect for your son, and out of respect for (the youth defendant) could you be quiet while verdicts are returned."

During the trial, jurors heard from the social workers from Bridgend County Council who worked on the family's case.

Debbie Williams, a social worker, spent 20 minutes speaking with the three defendants outside their home the day before Logan's body was found.

Almost a year prior, a safeguarding referral was made after Williamson went to hospital with Logan, claiming he had fallen down the stairs.

Melanie Smith, a health visitor who then worked with the family, said: "There were concerns because of the delay [in taking Logan to the hospital] and the fact Angharad had tried to put the shoulder back in herself."

Months later, authorities became aware the 14-year-old had confessed to pushing Logan down the stairs.

Logan was found at the River Ogmore
Logan was found at the River Ogmore. Picture: Alamy

Logan and his younger sibling were put on the child protection register in March 2021 over concerns with Cole but taken off in June that year.

Gaynor Rush, who left her role weeks before the child was murdered, said the family flat in Lower Llansantffraid appeared clean and the children were well-presented during unscheduled visits, while Williamson appeared to "adore" Logan.

But she said Ms Williams had refused to share information or work closely with her.

Weeks before he died, Logan suffered a broken collarbone but he never got medical treatment while prosecutors claimed the three defendants had engaged in an "elaborate" cover-up.

They are due to be sentenced at a later date.

A Child Practice Review including local councils, police, the probation service and the NHS, will now be held.

"Following the learning event, the independent reviewers of the case will collate and analyse all the information gathered to complete a report, highlighting the learning from the case, any areas of good practice and recommendations to improve future safeguarding practice," the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Safeguarding Board said.

"It is vitally important that the review is undertaken thoroughly. This can typically take approximately six months to complete.

"The Safeguarding Board will of course do everything it can to complete the review at the earliest opportunity, but we anticipate that the earliest this will be possible will be in the autumn of 2022."

Tracey Holdsworth, assistant director of NSPCC Cymru, said "no stone must be left unturned" in understanding whether more could have been done to protect Logan.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo said feeling like an outsider and 'not fitting in' drew her to role of Elphaba in new Wicked film

Robert F Kennedy Jr

Donald Trump picks anti-vaccine activist Robert F Kennedy Jr to lead Department of Health

France and Israel fans clash with police in Paris despite ramped up police presence following Amsterdam unrest

France and Israel fans clash amid ramped up police presence in Paris for UEFA Nations League game

c

'I hope I live to see the day': Ex-political prisoner Vladimir Kara-Murza shares wish to see Putin on trial for war crimes

M5 Motorway, Bristol, UK. 4th July, 2022. A rolling roadblock has been formed to protest the cost of fuel. Protestors have set off from Bridgewater and are holding up traffic by driving slowly along the M5 Motorway. Credit: JMF News/Alamy Live News

Teenager hit and killed in horror M5 collision after fleeing police car named

Exclusive
Putin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza recalls 'longest day of his life' after historic prisoner swap between Russia and West

Putin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza recalls 'longest day of his life' after historic prisoner swap between Russia and West

Mohamed Al Fayed's brother Salah accused of sexual assault and trafficking by former Harrods employees

Mohamed Al Fayed's brother Salah accused of sexual assault and trafficking by former Harrods employees

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Man who turned up outside Parliament in armour carrying samurai swords wanted to 'speak with Boris Johnson'

Basem Naim, a Hamas leader

Hamas prepared for 'immediate' ceasefire in Gaza but claims Israel has not offered any 'serious proposals' in months

London, UK. 9 October 2023. Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves speaking during the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool. Photo credit should read: Matt Crossick/Empics/Alamy Live News

Rachel Reeves to 'rip up financial red tape' with pension 'mega funds' freeing up £80 billion for investment

Labour divided over assisted dying as MP who introduced bill hits out at Health Secretary

Labour divided over assisted dying bill as MP tabling legislation labels Wes Streeting's objections 'disappointing'

Reverend Sue Colman was asked to step back after the Makin Report found her and her husband Jason knew about John Smyth's abuse and failed to act

Mustard heir and Church of England minister wife step back from church roles after damning abuse report

File photo of Broadway Market, where the attack took place

Horror as 'man doused in bleach' in busy Hackney market with manhunt underway and attacker still at loose

Former Met Police officer David Carrick pleads not guilty to string of sex attacks including indecent assault against teen

Former Met Police officer David Carrick pleads not guilty to sex attacks including indecent assault against teen

Jack Bradley took part in the failed ram raid

Moment drug addict in 4x4 rams Tesco superstore in failed bid to steal safe, with terrified staff still inside shop

ZM712, a Boeing Apache AH2 operated by the UK's Army Air Corps, departing from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England after participating in the Royal International Air Tattoo 2024 (RIAT24).

Drunken soldiers caught during Apache cockpit romp spark military safety review