Coroner update on inquest into death of baby Preston Davey after murder by ex-Blackpool teacher Jamie Varley

An inquest into the death of baby Preston Davey is set to be held next year.

Blackpool and Fylde chief coroner Alan Wilson said at a review hearing into Preston's death at Blackpool Town Hall that a full inquest is ‘highly likely’ to take place, probably during 2027, although it could be later than that.

Before he sets a date for the inquest, the coroner said a child safeguarding review by Oldham Council - the authority involved in Preston’s adoption - to to resume imminently and expected to last six months would need to be concluded.

Mr Wilson said he would hold a further pre-inquest review in late October or early November with a view to a further review following early next year once the Oldham safeguarding review is concluded.

"It is difficult to estimate how long the inquest will take," Mr Wilson said, adding that the earliest a hearing could be scheduled is June or July next year, but he was minded not to list an inquest which would clash with the anniversary of Preston's death, July 27.

The coroner said he expected the inquest would be held in the autumn of 2027 although “it may be that the inquest is held even later ", and added: "I am very conscious that, particularly for the family, it will sound a long time into the future”.

Under English law, if an inquest is resumed after a murder conviction, the conclusion of an inquest cannot reach any conclusion other than one of unlawful killing.

But if there are outstanding issues, such as potential missed opportunities to prevent a death, a full inquest can still go ahead.

The pre-inquest hearing was attended by a lawyer representing Preston's birth mother, Sarah Davey, and her mum Debra Davey.

Preston's birth father Gary Nolan was in attendance and represented, along with lawyers representing Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oldham Council and Bolton Council - the host authority for the Adoption Now agency also involved in the case.

Mr Wilson said an inquest can still be held even if a public inquiry is to take place into the case and he also referred to a Government investigation, which he was required to consider before resuming the inquest.

He said Minister for Children and Families Josh MacAlister had informed the court that its work is advisory in nature and not statutory.

The coroner also said he expected that Article 2 of the Human Rights Act - allowing for greater scope at the inquest - would be engaged but would make a decision on this at a later date.

Mr Wilson set a deadline of 72 days for submissions as to any further people or which should be considered interested persons in the coroner’s investigation.

Preston Davey was just 13-months-old when he was murdered by the man who was in the process of adopting him, Jamie Varley.

In less than four months, little Preston was sexually assaulted, physically and emotionally abused, and left with 40 non-accidental injuries.

Textiles teacher Varley, 37, is spending the rest of life behind bars for his murder following a lengthy trial at Preston Crown Court.

His now ex-partner McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was locked up for 25 years for allowing the death of a child, child cruelty and sexual assault.

Preston Davey deserved better

Preston Davey was 13-months-old when he was murdered by the man who was in the process of adopting him. The man he came to know as ‘dad’.

In less than four months, little Preston was sexually assaulted, physically and emotional abused, and left with 40 non-accidential injuries. He was taken to hospital three times. Social workers visited regularly. His abusers even admitted to having dark thoughts about him. And still, nothing stopped it.

Jamie Varley, 37, was given a whole life sentence for murder, child cruelty, sexual offences and indecent images relating to Preston. His now ex-partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was jailed for 25 years for allowing the death of a child, child cruelty and sexual assault.

But the question that has to be asked - and answered - is how a baby boy in the care of the state could be so badly let down by every system designed to protect him.

We need answers. Specifically:

- Why were repeated warning signs - three hospital admissions, an abuser's own admission of dark thoughts, routine social worker contact - not acted on?

- Should children placed outside their home authority automatically be assigned a local social worker with direct oversight of their care?

- How are repeat hospital admissions for children in care shared between the NHS, the placing authority, and the authority where the child lives?

- Are adoption vetting procedures rigorous enough to stop prospective adopters hiding behind a false front?

We need you to sign this petition and demand the government acts.

Every child who comes after Preston deserves better too.

Join our calls for a public inquiry by signing our change.org petition here.