The judge enters the courtroom and the hearing continues.
Prosecutor Caroline Rees QC says the family of Logan Mwangi are in court including his father Ben Mwangi.
She reads out a victim personal statement on his behalf.
The statement says: “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.”
Schoolboy Logan Mwangi, five, was found dead in the Ogmore River near Pandy Park in Bridgend last year. His killers have now learned their fates
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