Preston Davey's Father Details 'Terror' at Vigil as Convicted Adoptive Parents Await Sentencing

Gary Nolan, the biological father of Preston Davey, attended a vigil marking what would have been his son's fourth birthday, recounting the 13-month-old's months of 'terror at the hands of a monster'.

Preston Davey died in July 2023. His adoptive father, 37-year-old teacher Jamie Varley of Blackpool, Lancashire, was convicted of his murder. Varley's partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was found guilty of sexual assault, child cruelty, and allowing the death of a child. Both are scheduled for sentencing on Thursday.

Speaking from Preston's Flag Market, Nolan expressed his anguish and anger, stating, 'My son went through four months of terror at the hands of a monster. My son should be alive today on his birthday and not dead.'

Born in June 2022, Preston was taken into the care of Oldham Council. His mother, Sarah Davey, 42, had a history of imprisonment, including a conviction for murder in 1998. Preston spent his first 10 months with foster parents.

In April 2023, Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley received adoption approval. During the subsequent four months in their Blackpool home, Preston suffered routine ill-treatment, sexual abuse, and physical assaults, sustaining 40 traumatic injuries. Evidence presented at trial revealed Preston had been admitted to Blackpool Victoria Hospital three times before his death on 27 July 2023.

Mourners at the vigil lit candles and listened to a piper. Organiser Niamh Cardwell-Clarke emphasised the event aimed to remember Preston as 'the beautiful little boy he was', urging attendees to 'pay a tribute, bring a candle, bring a teddy, blow some bubbles and let's just remember him for the beautiful boy he was and not for the horrific start in life he had.'