UK - Logan Mwangi, 5, found dead in Wales River, Bridgend, 31 July 2021 *arrests, inc. minor* #2

[SpursGyal]

'Accidental injuries to the abdominal area are uncommon'
Dr Stalker said Logan’s injuries to his right hand were consistent with trapping the hand in a door or a stamping injury with the hand being on a hard surface or hit with a weapon.

The injury to the forehead was described as a “significant area of bruising”.

The doctor added: “Firstly it’s really quite extensive, it’s unusual there’s not an adequate explanation for it. The explanation of a toy bouncing off his eye is inadequate in explaining the injury.

“It’s also a complex bruise, there’s a cluster of bruising around the eye and to the edge of the eye. A cluster of bruising is more indicative of inflicted bruising rather than accidental bruising….

“It makes me come to the opinion this was non-accidental.”

There was also a cluster of injuries to the right eye, which Dr Stalker said was “of concern” and no explanation had been provided for that injury.

Ms Rees said: “Could it be caused by a face hitting an object such as a door, floor or wall?”

Dr Stalker said: “It’s possible… It’s a direct force which caused this.”

There were also bruises to the cheek, which the doctor described as being more common in non-accidental injury.

When asked if bruising to the cheek was common in abused children, Dr Stalker replied: “Yes.”

Bruises to the neck were said to be “not at all common” in accidental injuries.

Logan sustained multiple bruises to his chest area, belly button area and abdominal area.

Dr Stalker said: “Accidental injuries to the abdominal area are uncommon, we would say 4%... The fact there are multiple injuries in the abdominal area and they are clusters is deeply concerning.”

The witness said these injuries could be consistent with a knuckle punch or a kick depending on the shape of the shoe.

A cluster of bruises to the thigh were consistent with a “forceful grip”. There were similar clusters of bruises to the right forearm.

Dr Stalker said she would not expect to see this in the normal handling or every day play of a child.

Logan Mwangi 'suffered extreme pain' before his death - doctor tells murder trial - Wales Online

 

[ChloLo]

How as a parent do you sit through your child suffering like that and do nothing. How do you ignore their pain? It’s unbelievable.

 

[SpursGyal]

Dr Stalker cross examined
David Elias QC, for John Cole, cross examines Dr Stalker.

He said he will ask about the timings of the injuries before death.

When asked about the injuries to the abdomen, Mr Elias asks Dr Stalker if she stands by her belief the period between the brain and abdominal injuries being sustained and death was “hours rather than days”.

The witness confirms this.

The doctor also confirmed she could not say whether Logan had immediately fallen unconscious after receiving the injuries, or whether he had regained consciousness.

Mr Elias asks if it’s possible the injuries to the head and abdomen had occurred at the same time.

Dr Stalker said: “Yes it’s possible.”

Mr Elias said: “If that was the case, both the difficulties with head and abdomen would have worked from the start?”

Dr Stalker said: “Yes if they occurred together from the same attack.”

The court heard the injuries to the abdomen would have made the head injuries worse “very quickly”.

Mr Elias asked if the evidence pointed to Logan having an empty stomach rather than vomiting, Dr Stalker said that was correct.

The barrister also refers to the “gripping injury” to the thigh and the arm, and asks if it’s possible to determine the age of a bruise.

Dr Stalker said: “It’s almost impossible.”

Mr Elias also asks about a burn to Logan’s neck, which Dr Stalker described as “unusual” to be caused accidentally.

The court adjourns for a 10 minute break.

Logan Mwangi 'suffered extreme pain' - doctor tells murder trial

 

[SpursGyal]

Impact
The trial resumes.

Peter Rouch QC, for Angharad Williamson, first asks about Logan’s head injuries, including bruising.

Mr Rouch said: “By whichever way it happened there was violent impact.”

Dr Stalker said: “Correct.”

Mr Rouch said: “Either by the head coming into contact with a hard object or a hard object coming into contact with the head.”

Dr Stalker said: “Yes.”

Mr Rouch said: “The impact would have been extensive to cause the extensive and deep bruising.”

Dr Stalker said: “Yes.”

The barrister asks about the abdominal injuries.

Mr Rouch said: “It’s of your view they’re of such severity they were caused by severe blunt force trauma.”

Dr Stalker said: “Yes.”

Mr Rouch said: “Such as a kick or a knuckle punch or a stamp.”

Dr Stalker said: “Yes.”

Logan Mwangi 'suffered extreme pain' - doctor tells murder trial

 

[SpursGyal]

Logan Mwangi 'suffered extreme pain' - doctor tells murder trial

'Would they have had to have been forceful punches?'
Mr Rouch now turns to the hand injuries.

He said: “It’s far more likely they were both caused at the same time and they’re consistent with a crushing type injury.

Dr Stalker said: “Yes… there’s cutting across the fingers and damage to the tissue and significant amount of bruising.”

Mr Rouch said: “Is it consistent with the hand being on a hard surface and being stamped on?”

Dr Stalker said: “Yes.”

The next topic is the bruising to the right and left eye.

Mr Rouch said: “They are similar and to you that suggested a common mechanism of injury.”

Dr Stalker said: “Yes."

Mr Rouch said: “Such as moving contact with a hard surface.”

Dr Stalker said: “Yes.”

The barrister asked if the cluster marks to the abdomen were indicative of a “knuckle punch”.

The witness agreed. She said there were at least three or four blows to the abdomen in order to cause those injuries.

Mr Rouch said: “Would they have had to have been forceful punches?”

Dr Stalker said: “Yes.”

The witness said when diagnosing a mechanism of injuries, whether the injuries were as a result of abuse or accidental, healthcare professionals had to “take the whole picture” into account.

 

[SpursGyal]

Cross examination from John Hipkin QC
John Hipkin QC, for the youth defendant, asks if “delayed presentation” to hospital would set “alarm bells ringing” from a paediatric point of view.

Dr Stalker said: “It’s one of the hallmarks of an abusive injury.”

Mr Hipkin said: “If a close carer didn’t present promptly with a child of tender years that would send alarm bells ringing?”

Dr Stalker said: “Yes.”

Mr Hipkin said: “We know the clavicle fracture was several weeks old, secondly we know that fracture was never treated. Logan was never taken to hospital for treatment. Would that send alarm bells ringing?”

Dr Stalker said: “It would.”

Mr Hipkin said: “Logan would have been in pain, that pain wouldn’t have lasted for minutes or hours but more than days into weeks.”

Dr Stalker said: “It would.”

Mr Hipkin said: “It would have been absolutely obvious to any carer of Logan’s he would have been in such pain?”

Dr Stalker said: “Yes, you would expect this of any parent in tune with the needs of their child. Also Logan could speak so he could say he was in pain.”

Mr Hipkin said: “That would set alarm bells ringing.”

Dr Stalker said: “Absolutely.”

The doctor has finished her evidence and the trial adjourns for an hour lunch break until 2.15pm.

Logan Mwangi 'suffered extreme pain' - doctor tells murder trial

 

[Cherwell]

All this talk about timing. I wonder if JC is going to try an alibi defence.

 

[Britpop]

I really hope poor little Logan was unconscious for most of this. How scared and confused he must have been that he wasn't being helped and protected by the one person who is supposed to be.

Thanks for the updates on the trial xx

 

[Dotta]

All this talk about timing. I wonder if JC is going to try an alibi defence.

But what proof would be for him that he was sleeping during the time of the attack and aftermath?

AW already said he beat the boy.

Only the youth can give him alibi, confessing.

 

[Cherwell]

But what proof would be for him that he was sleeping during the time of the attack and aftermath?

They might try to claim that he was elsewhere when the fatal attack took place.

AW already said he beat the boy.

Her word won't count for much.

 

[Dotta]

Dbm

 

[leehull]

Oh my goodness, heartbreaking! they had to have known little Logan was seriously unwell. Thank you for the updates

 

[Tortoise]

14:57PHILIP DEWEY
Bullying
The trial resumes.

The next witness, who we’ve decided not to name, was known to Cole and the youth defendant.

He said he was aware the youth defendant was being bullied.

Ms Rees asked: “Did you know there was a child called Logan living at the address?”

The witness said: “No.”

The witness has finished his evidence.


Logan Mwangi 'suffered extreme pain' - doctor tells murder trial

 

[Tortoise]

Two witnesses actually since court resumed at 2:21pm!

Trial (Part Heard) - Resume - 14:21
Trial (Part Heard) - Witness Number 53 Sworn - 14:28
Trial (Part Heard) - No Event - 14:37
Trial (Part Heard) - Witness Number 54 Sworn - 14:48

https://www.thelawpages.com/court-hearings-lists/Cardiff-Crown-Court.php

 

[Mammaalli]

Being bullied by who ?

 

[Cherwell]

14:57PHILIP DEWEY
Bullying
The trial resumes.
The next witness, who we’ve decided not to name, was known to Cole and the youth defendant.
He said he was aware the youth defendant was being bullied.
Ms Rees asked: “Did you know there was a child called Logan living at the address?”
The witness said: “No.”
The witness has finished his evidence.

WTF? This is a prosecution witness?
I can only think that there's something else that can't be reported.

 

[Tortoise]

WTF? This is a prosecution witness?
I can only think that there's something else that can't be reported.

Shabby reporting. He hasn't even clarified which address. I'm presuming it was JC's, but Logan wasn't living there, he was only there sometimes.

 

[Sooty]

I’m guessing that the bullying might refer to JC or AW bullying the youth??? For this to be relevant to the prosecution??

 

[Dotta]

14:57PHILIP DEWEY
Bullying
The trial resumes.

The next witness, who we’ve decided not to name, was known to Cole and the youth defendant.

He said he was aware the youth defendant was being bullied.

Ms Rees asked: “Did you know there was a child called Logan living at the address?”

The witness said: “No.”

The witness has finished his evidence.


Logan Mwangi 'suffered extreme pain' - doctor tells murder trial

I take it, JC "disciplining" the youth.

 

[89leanne89]

Are there any journalists live tweeting?