The grandmother of a baby who was murdered and sexually abused by his adopted parents has revealed that she had wanted to care for the child, according to reports. Preston Davey was placed into foster care until he was adopted at nine months old by Jamie Varley, 37, a former secondary school head of year, and his partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32.
Details of the Abuse
In the four months leading up to his murder, Preston was used as a “plaything,” enduring routine physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault, and the taking of indecent photographs and videos. Varley claimed that Preston had accidentally drowned in a bath at the couple's home in Blackpool in July 2023. However, a post-mortem examination revealed more than 40 injuries on Preston's body, along with internal injuries indicating sexual abuse. The cause of death was determined to be acute upper airway obstruction, suggesting that something had been inserted into his mouth, blocking his airway.
Court Proceedings
Following an eight-week trial at Preston Crown Court, Varley was convicted of murder and 24 other offences on Tuesday. McGowan-Fazakerley was convicted of allowing the death of a child and three other offences. They are scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday.
Grandmother's Account
Preston's maternal grandmother, Debbie Davey, 66, from Oldham, told The Daily Telegraph that she had wanted to care for him but was unable to do so because she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She stated: “Sarah wanted to keep Preston but she was told he was going to a foster home. Preston was with Sarah for a week while they were both in hospital but then Preston was given a foster home.”
Mrs Davey, who sobbed in court as the jury returned guilty verdicts, expressed her belief that two men should not raise a child, saying: “I think a child should be brought up by a mum and a dad. That is my belief.” Now cancer-free, she added: “Sarah spoke to the social worker telling her that she didn’t want Preston adopted. She begged the foster mother to keep Preston but was told she could not because she was only a foster mother. We wanted social services to allow Preston to stay with foster parents until I was better but they wouldn’t allow it. If they’d agreed, he would be here with me today.”
Background of the Case
Preston, who would have turned four on Tuesday, was born on June 16, 2022, and was adopted by Varley and McGowan in April 2023. His birth mother, Sarah Davey, now 42, was jailed as a 14-year-old for murdering widower Lily Lilley, 71, with a teenage accomplice in Failsworth, near Oldham, in 1998. She has since been in and out of prison, and Preston was taken into foster care five days after his birth.
In the months before his death, Preston had been admitted to hospital three times, and a social services investigation is currently underway. The case has drawn significant attention to the failings of the care system.
