Boy, 5, 'made to stand facing wall for 30 mins', murder trial told
March 15, 2022
Live Trial Blog:
16:29PHILIP DEWEY
Evidence finishes
Ms Rush has finished her evidence.
The trial adjourns for the day and will start back up at 10am tomorrow.
16:14PHILIP DEWEY
Williamson was 'proud of Logan'
Mr Roach, for Williamson, said: “The reason (Logan) became involved in child protection was because of Mr Cole’s concerning past…. It wasn’t anything to do with Angharad?”
The witness said: “That’s correct.”
Ms Rush said she became close with Logan and Angharad, once she realised the witness was not being “judgey”.
The court heard Ms Rush would make scheduled and unannounced visits.
Mr Roach said: “The flat was always in a presentable condition and Logan was presented well?”
Ms Rush said: “Beautifully presented.”
Mr Roach said: “Was it clear Angharad adored (Logan)?”
Ms Rush said: “Yes she was very proud of Logan, he was very articulate, smart and kind.”
Mr Roach said: “And he adored Angharad.”
Ms Rush said: “Yes.”
16:10PHILIP DEWEY
'Nothing to suggest'
Mr Elias, for Cole, asked if Williamson would “stick up” for his client in meetings with social workers.
Ms Rush confirmed this.
The court heard Logan referred to Cole as “Daddy”.
Mr Elias said: “There was nothing to suggest Logan was none other than loved by both Angharad and John?”
Ms Rush said: “Absolutely.”
16:02PHILIP DEWEY
Burn mark
Ms Rees asks Ms Rush about an incident where Logan burnt his neck.
She said: “He had burnt his neck on the bath tap… Angharad called me, she was upset. ‘What are they going to say’, she was worried she would get in trouble with social services.”
A week later she saw Logan and the mark had disappeared.
In another visit, Ms Rush said Logan appeared well. She said he had “ample” toys and clothes.
Logan was stepped down from being a “child in protection” to a “child in need”.
The court heard Ms Rush was later told Logan had died.
16:01PHILIP DEWEY
Social worker gives evidence
The trial resumes.
The next witness to give evidence is Gaynor Rush, who was the social worker for Logan.
He was on a child protection register because of concerns in John Cole’s past.
The witness said she would visit every 10 days or more.
When asked if she got on with Williamson, she said: “Not initially no, I think I upset Angharad. I was trying to understand their frustration at social services… She said ‘I won’t get far with someone who was judging me’.”
Ms Rush said the relationship improved and Williamson would take her advice, and the two would often talk together on the phone.
When asked about Logan, she said: “He was very chatty, very animated little boy. I said no one had drawn me a rainbow and he said ‘I’ll draw you a rainbow’ and sure enough next time I visited he had drawn one. He was a sweet little boy…He was very polite and articulate.”
When asked about Cole, Ms Rush said: “He was very lively, John talked very fast and very excitable.”
She said Cole would discuss his criminal past.
