Gabriella Swerling Social Affairs Editor 21 April 2022 3:33pm BST A mixed-race boy was murdered by his mother, her partner – who was a member of the National Front – and a 14-year-old boy

after social services missed a string of opportunities to stop the abuse. Logan Mwangi, five, was found with 56 external injuries as well as suffering a torn liver, trauma to the brain and a

degloving of a part of his small intestine after being repeatedly battered at his family home despite being under the care of social services. Cardiff Crown Court heard that Logan died of

injuries usually found in people who have been involved in road accidents or fallen from a height. Following a nine-week trial, jurors took just over five hours to convict his mother,

the injuries raised significant alarm bells with authorities. The court heard how his killers were known to social services, regularly receiving visits to check on his welfare, including the

day before he died.  It also emerged that Logan had been on the child protection register for seven months before his death - but was stepped down from being a “child in protection” to a

“child in need” following a review just a few weeks prior to his murder. Bridgend Council has now set up a serious case review into Logan’s death. The inquiry will examine whether there were

chances to save Logan after it emerged that the authorities knew about some of the injuries the little boy had sustained in the months before his murder. The inquiry will also look at what

was known of Cole’s past as it can now be revealed that he was once a member of the far-Right, fascist political party, the National Front. ‘HE WOULD HAVE MADE THAT CHILD’S LIFE HELL’ The

court heard that Cole had a history of racism and “dehumanised” Logan, whose natural father is of Kenyan heritage. One witness claimed Cole’s racist views meant “he would have made that

child’s life hell”. Cole’s criminal past was also exposed during the trial - with dozens of convictions in his late teens and early 20s including an attack on a child. During the murder

trial, jurors heard harrowing details of how Logan was kept like a “prisoner” in the days before his death after testing positive for Covid-19 and was confined to his tiny bedroom behind a

locked child gate - which was akin to “a dungeon” - at the house in Sarn, Bridgend. When he would try to leave the room to interact with his family, Williamson and Cole would repeatedly

punish him - even in the knowledge that little Logan would self-harm by biting himself until he bled. “That little boy was being made to face a wall as food was being delivered so other

members of the house did not catch Covid. What must he have thought of the way his life was in these 10 days?” prosecutor Caroline Rees QC said. “He was dehumanised by each of the

defendants.” Ms Rees said that during Logan’s last weeks on earth he had become “anxious, wetting himself, harming himself by pinching or biting himself”. She said that instead of attending

to Logan, Williamson and Cole became “irritated” and “annoyed” by him and would punish him further. Neighbours also told how Cole would “bully” the youngster - making him do press-ups as

punishment until he collapsed on the floor or stand outside the house in just his pyjamas. The court also heard that the 14-year-old boy said he wanted to kill Logan, according to claims

made by a foster family he stayed with. They said they reported the teenager's “desire for violence” and threats to harm Logan to his social worker Debbie Williams but that she seemed

unconcerned. Ms Williams denies this. Judge Mrs Justice Jefford adjourned sentencing and told jurors: “Thank you for your care and attention to this trial. It is no less than Logan Mwangi

deserved following his death aged just five. “There is only one sentence I can pass and that is one of life imprisonment or detention and I have to set the minimum term.” Logan’s father,

Benjamin Mwangi, travelled 200 miles from Essex to Wales to see the verdicts be delivered in person. Giving a statement outside court, he described his son as “the most beautiful boy whose

life had been tragically cut short”. “The world is a colder and darker place without his smile and 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.” Tondu Primary School, where Logan was a pupil, also released a statement paying

tribute to “the loving, sweet-natured child”, describing him as a “friendly, energetic and popular little boy” who loved playing hide-and-seek and pretending to be Spiderman. “Ultimately,

we remember Logan as being a bright, happy child who was caring and loving, and an absolute pleasure to teach,” they said. “We are also united in our condemnation of the terrible actions of

those who ended Logan’s short life in such a cruel and brutal way, and are grateful that they have been held accountable for their crimes.” The case bears a striking resemblance to the

deaths of 16-month-old Star Hobson and six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, both of whom – like Logan – were killed in their homes following months of systematic abuse when warning signs were

missed by social services. Britain’s youngest killers Tracey Holdsworth, assistant director at NSPCC Cymru, said: “The treatment of Logan Mwangi by people who should have been caring for

him was horrific, but for his death to have involved another young person is even more shocking… “A Child Safeguarding Practice Review must now leave no stone unturned in establishing

exactly what took place before Logan died and whether more could have been done to protect him. “There must also be more investment in children’s services in Wales to ensure they are able to

provide comprehensive support to any child at risk of harm and be better equipped to prevent a tragedy such as this happening again in Wales.” The Cwm Taf Morgannwg Safeguarding Board,

which is responsible for children at risk in Bridgend, said the ongoing child practice review - which is not expected to be completed before the autumn - would look at the contacts agencies

had with the family. A report will be submitted to the Welsh government.