The grandmother of Preston Davey has revealed that she and the child's mother wanted to keep him before he was adopted by a man who later murdered him. Preston Davey, who would have turned four on Tuesday, was adopted at nine months old by Jamie Varley, 37, a former secondary school head of year, and his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32. Within four months, Preston was killed, having been subjected to horrific abuse.
Grandmother's account
Debbie Davey, 66, from Oldham, told The Daily Telegraph that she wanted to care for Preston but was unable to because she was undergoing treatment for breast cancer. She said: "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."
She also expressed her belief that two men should not raise a child, stating: "I think a child should be brought up by a mum and a dad. That is my belief." Mrs Davey, now cancer-free, 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."
The murder case
Preston was born on June 16, 2022, and adopted by Varley and McGowan in April 2023. He died on July 27, 2023, at their home in Staining Road, Blackpool. Varley claimed Preston had accidentally drowned in a bath, but a post-mortem found over 40 injuries and evidence of sexual abuse. The cause of death was acute upper airway obstruction, suggesting something was inserted into his mouth.
After a seven-week trial at Preston Crown Court, Varley was found guilty of murder and 24 other offences. McGowan-Fazakerley was convicted of allowing the death of a child and three other offences. The couple were in the process of adopting Preston when he collapsed while in Varley's sole care.
Background of Preston's mother
It was revealed that Preston's mother is Sarah Davey, a notorious murderer who, at age 14, tortured and killed a pensioner in Failsworth, Oldham, in 1998. She was jailed for the 'unspeakably wicked' murder. Preston was taken into foster care five days after his birth. His mother's identity was not disclosed to the jury during the trial. She has since been in and out of prison.
Mrs Davey sobbed in court as the guilty verdicts were returned. Varley and McGowan are due to be sentenced on Thursday.
