A baby's laugh is one of the sweetest sounds in the world, but for little Preston Davey, his giggles were cruelly cut short. Video footage captured him in happier times, innocent and wide-eyed, giggling away as he sat in his highchair. His huge toothless smile beamed for his loving foster carers.
A Life Cut Short
Wearing a bear-covered baby grow, Preston was as happy as any other toddler. He had no idea of the cruel and depraved hands he would soon find himself in. At just 13 months old, Preston was murdered by his adopted father, Jamie Varley. Varley, a 37-year-old high school teacher, used him as his 'personal plaything' and subjected him to vile sexual abuse.
The Trial and Sentencing
Earlier this week, Varley was convicted of murder alongside a string of sex offences. His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, took part in a sick sex attack on the baby and was convicted of allowing his death. The pair are being sentenced at Preston Crown Court this afternoon.
Before Preston was adopted, Sandra and Paul Cooper fostered him from the age of five days old. Mrs Cooper told the court in a heartbreaking statement how the tot was 'joyful' and 'so content and happy' while in their care. Mr Cooper said the pair 'brought him up as their own', and expressed his wish they 'could have kept him' before he was adopted.
Preston would have turned four this week. Crowds gathered in Preston's Flag Market for a vigil to mark the tragic occasion. This video is a heartbreaking reminder of what life should have been like for Preston: happy, smiley, and giggling, before he became the victim of the worst possible crimes.
