Preston Davey's biological father has shared his pain at hearing the horrors that happened to his son at the hands of "two monsters." Gary Nolan's victim impact statement was read out in court after his baby son was sexually abused and killed.
The 13-month-old was murdered by teacher Jamie Varley, 37, from Blackpool, Lancashire. Varley's partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was also found guilty of sexual assault, child cruelty and allowing the death of a child. The pair are set to be sentenced this morning.
Mr Nolan's statement said: "Preston was the son that I never got to meet and now never will... Following Preston’s birth and being confirmed as his father I was awaiting an appointment with Social Services. The appointment would have been my opportunity to say ‘Hello’ and ‘Goodbye’ to Preston, all within the space of an hour before he was taken away."
He added: "This is what kept me going and made me feel happy that I would get to meet my son. Despite my efforts to push for this meeting, it never took place."
"I learnt of Preston’s passing from the police, a day I remember so well, it was just awful. Two female officers came to see me and informed me that Preston had been killed and that two men had been bailed pending an investigation. Due to legal matters a lot of information was withheld from me. Upon hearing the news, I remember officers taking hold of me and me blanking out, the next thing I recall is waking up in hospital two days later. I am told that I was hysterical and crying and that it was for my own safety that I was taken to the hospital, clearly, I must have been in a bad place mentally."
"Upon being discharged from hospital, I turned to drink, which I knew wasn’t the answer, but I felt anxious about everything. I was having nightmares about Preston, after hearing about the autopsy. These included seeing some horrific images in my mind."
He said: "Preston was my first and only son. The fact that he has been taken away from me has stopped me from having a father-son relationship. I was looking forward to doing the simple things with him, playing football, teaching him how to ride a bike, having him ask me for help, seeing him learn to drive and of course celebrating his birthdays. This has deprived my three daughters and me of ever having these opportunities."
"Sitting in court and hearing the details of what Preston suffered, is horrible, no one should have to suffer like that, let alone a baby. It’s disgusting. I have seen things in the courtroom that I should never have had to see. Preston went through that, so why shouldn’t I have to see it too? No matter how disturbing it is."
"I have had to get rid of my smart phone to prevent me looking online at things about Preston, it was getting to me. It’s all over the internet and was everywhere I looked. People putting opinions in without knowing the facts and having to see what I and Preston have had to see. It’s just too distressing."
Preston was born in June 2022 and was taken into care by Oldham Council shortly after birth. His mother, Sarah Davey, now 42, had been imprisoned aged 14 for the murder of a frail pensioner in 1998 and had spent periods in and out of prison since.
Preston was placed with foster parents at five days old and remained with them for the first 10 months of his life. However, in April 2023, Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley were approved to adopt him and Preston moved into their home in Blackpool. During the brief four-month period he was under their care, Preston was subjected to regular mistreatment, sexual abuse and physical assault, enduring 40 traumatic injuries. The trial revealed that he was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital on three occasions in the months leading up to his tragic death on 27 July 2023.
