The devastated grandmother of murdered baby Preston Davey believes social workers were so terrified of being branded homophobic they left the tot at the mercy of an abusive gay couple. The 13-month-old died in July 2023, just weeks after being handed to prospective adoptive parents Jamie Varley, 37, and his lover John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32. During his brief time with the evil pair, the defenseless tot was physically, sexually, and psychologically abused before eventually being suffocated by having an object thrust into his mouth.
Missed Opportunities
Debbie Davey, Preston’s maternal grandmother, told of her “hatred” of social workers who missed eight vital opportunities to save the baby. She questioned whether fears of being accused of homophobia clouded social workers’ judgment. Baby Preston was taken to hospital three times before he was killed, and each time, medical staff noticed bruises on his body. On one occasion, a hospital safeguarding team referred the matter to Lancashire Constabulary, but the case was closed when a consultant said there was nothing to worry about, and the baby was discharged back into the hands of the seemingly respectable middle-class couple.
Court Proceedings
After a harrowing eight-week trial at Preston Crown Court, secondary school teacher Varley was found guilty of murder, two counts of assault by penetration, five counts of cruelty to a child, grievous bodily harm, sexual assault of a child, 13 counts of taking indecent photos or videos of a child, one of distributing an indecent photo of a child to his co-accused, and one of making an indecent photo. Finance company sales manager McGowan-Fazakerley was found guilty of allowing the death of a child, two counts of child cruelty, and one count of sexual assault of a child.
Grandmother's Fury
Mrs. Davey expressed her fury that the social worker involved in Preston’s case “is still working,” adding: “I am fuming about that. She was supposed to be checking on Preston. I think it’s terrible that she is still working and my baby is dead.” Speaking to The Telegraph, she questioned whether fears of homophobia accusations preoccupied the social workers, saying: “Social services might have been hesitant to take action when they saw Preston because they may have been accused of being homophobic. They didn’t see through them and see what was going on to Preston. As soon as you see a baby with a broken arm, you ask questions.”
Official Response
A spokesman for Lancashire Constabulary said: “On 25th May 2023, Varley took Preston to Blackpool Victoria Hospital stating he had breathing difficulties and that he had suffered a seizure. A detective from the child protection team attended but medical staff indicated there were no concerns around potential non-accidental injury. As a result, we did not see baby Preston, Jamie Varley or John McGowan-Fazakerley that day.” A post-mortem examination identified more than 40 external and internal bruises, as well as injuries consistent with sexual assault. A spokesman for Oldham Council said: “The death of any child is a tragedy, but this is a particularly heart-wrenching and disturbing case. We are thankful that the perpetrators of the sickening murder and abuse of an innocent child have today been convicted for their crimes. An independent Child Safeguarding Practice Review is already underway, which will examine the handling of Preston’s safeguarding.”
