A 14-year-old boy has appeared in court charged with the murder of a five-year-old found dead in a river.

       Logan Mwangi was discovered in water 400m from his home just hours after being reported missing by his mother near Pandy Park in the Sarn area of Bridgend.

       The teenager, who can't be identified because of his age, was initially charged with perverting the course of justice in connection with the death.

       But almost three months after first being interviewed by detectives, he has now been charged with murder.

       A judge at Cardiff Magistrates' Court told the 14-year-old to "take your hands out of your pockets" as he appeared before him on the murder charge.

       The boy - who was 13 at the time of his arrest in July - spoke quietly, only to confirm his name, age and address as he was accompanied by a chaperone in the courtroom.

       Judge Stephen Harmes told him the case could only be dealt with at a crown court and remanded him into local authority care.

       He said: "Mr Isaac (your lawyer) will help you understand what's going on.

       "You'll be going to Crown Court probably next week but for now you'll continue as you have been."

       The court heard the boy's bail conditions included wearing an electronic tag and staying away from Sarn.

       He was also told not to be alone with other children without supervision and not to contact any witnesses in the case.

       Logan's step-father John Cole, 39, has also been accused of murder after he was found with a string of injuries.

       Cole, Logan's mother Angharad Williamson, 30, and the boy are also charged with perverting the course of justice.

       An inquest opening previously heard Logan was discovered in the River Ogmore, in Sarn, Bridgend on July 31.

       The child was taken to the Princess of Wales Hospital, where it was confirmed he had died.

       Coroner's officer Lauren Howitt told the Pontypridd hearing Logan had been formally identified by his grandmother Claire Williamson.

       A post-mortem examination was carried out but a provisional cause of death was pending further investigation.

       Cole, Williamson and the youth are set to face a four-week trial next year to decide on their part in the tragic death of "cheeky boy" Logan.

       A court previously heard the youngster suffered "extreme pain" in an attack before he was found following a search.

       South Wales Police's Detective Chief Inspector Mark O'Shea, the senior investigating officer, described it as a "very harrowing case for all involved".

       Family friends paid tribute to Logan, who was also known as Logan Williamson, describing him as "kind, funny, polite, handsome and clever", on social media.

       In the days after Logan's death, hundreds of people arrived at the scene to lay flowers, tributes, toys and teddies in front of the police cordon by the river.

       Many of those who came to lay tributes said they did not know Logan or his family but travelled to the area after hearing news of his death.

       A provisional trial date for all three was set for Jan 31 next year with a time estimate of four weeks.