Preston Davey murder - the sickest revelations from case that shocked the nation

The death of little Preston Davey shocked the nation after grim details of his tragically short life emerged in a harrowing court case. The tragic tot was failed by almost everyone he came into contact with since he was born to a killer mum in 2022.

After being taken into care by Oldham Council at just five days old, he was placed with foster parents for the first nine months of his life. He was then placed into the care of adoptive couple Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazakerley in Blackpool, Lancs.

The tot was routinely ill-treated, sexually abused and physically assaulted while in their care for just four months. He suffered 40 traumatic injuries, which were laid bare in a court case that left even the most senior prosecutors shocked.

Killer mum

Baby Preston was born to killer mum Sarah Davey. She and Preston's biological dad Gary Nolan were in jail at the time the tragic tot was born. Davey was jailed at the age of 14 for the murder of a frail pensioner in 1998 and had been in and out of prison sever since.

Chosen Shower

Sickos Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley held a "chosen shower" after their adoption bid was accepted by the council. They presented their life as "Instagram ready," and even gave the baby a new name. But within months, he had died at their cruel hands.

Sexual assault 'blocked airway'

Preston had been treated as a "plaything", jurors heard. He was routinely sexually assaulted and physically abused by the couple. One Video filmed by Varley shows a sickening incident in which Preston was lying on a bed, struggling to breath. Prosecutors said that came after a sexual assault that caused an obstruction in his airway.

Anatomy was 'abnormal'

Preston had injuries to his mouth, throat and bottom, with parts of his anatomy deemed "abnormal" and the injuries consistent with sexual abuse, a court was told.

The cause of Preston's death was determined to be acute upper airways obstruction by an object or objects inserted into his mouth. Disturbing indecent images and footage of Preston's abuse, some of which "cannot be unseen", the court was told.

Photos too graphic to make public

Police retrieved multiple photos of Preston captured four days before his death during a sexual assault, the court was told.

Preston is pictured alongside his beloved teddy bears, hanging over the upper rail of his cot, his neck positioned on the bar with his legs in a "frog like" stance, appearing asleep or unconscious.

Liquid drips from his mouth, his tongue jutting out and his lips blue from oxygen deprivation. The photographs are too disturbing for police to make public. The evidence heard was so traumatic jurors on the trial were excused from doing jury service again for life.

Failings of the authorities

As a looked after child, Preston was seen by a battery of professionals during his life including social workers, health visitors and doctors. But despite Varley being described as a "Jekyll and Hyde character", no concerns were picked up by the adoption agency.

Preston was rushed to hospital in Blackpool in May 2025, a month after he was placed in their care, with Varley reporting a seizure and breathing difficulties. Medical reports cast doubts on his story and social services and Lancashire Police were called.

But on June 30, Preston was back in A&E with a rash, diarrhoea, vomiting and high temperature. Varley even chillingly told staff: "You lot are going to think we have been abusing him."

Final moments

Heartbreakingly, Preston was in hospital again on July 6 with a fractured arm. Preston's social worker Amy Shepherdson, who contacted the hospital, texted Varley to say: "Just to reassure you they said they had absolutely no concerns."

But on July 27, Preston was found "submerged in a bath" and taken to hospital, where Varley is seen wailing dramatically as he tries to portray a distressed caregiver. But it was all a sick act. Preston was dry and there was no evidence he had swallowed water.

Drowning was ruled out when tests on Preston's body were carried out. Forty injuries, including signs of sex abuse, were found and the sick pair were charged. They are now behind bars.

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