Exclusive:Preston Davey's birth mum Sarah Davey says she is touched by the outpouring of love shown to murdered son
Sitting down with The Gazette editor Vanessa Sims, after the sentencing of ‘pure evil’ killer and abuser, Sarah Davey said she was touched by the outpouring of love shown to her little boy who will ‘forever remain 13-months-old’.
Acts of remembrance and a vigil held in memory of murdered baby Preston Davey have brought his family comfort, says the tragic tot’s birth mum.
Sitting down with The Gazette editor Vanessa Sims, after the sentencing of his ‘pure evil’ killer and abuser at Preston Crown Court yesterday, Sarah Davey and birth dad Gary Nolan said they were touched by the outpouring of love shown to their little boy who will ‘forever remain 13-months-old’.
Sadistic textiles teacher Jamie Varley, 37, was handed a whole life prison term with no chance of parole after being found guilty of Preston’s murder, sexual assault as well as physical and emotional abuse.
The ex-South Shore Academy head of year looked solemn and gaunt, in a maroon T-shirt and brown trousers, as he made no response when told he would die behind bars.
His now ex-partner and co-abuser John McGowan-Fazakerley, was smartly dressed in a navy suit and confidently confirmed his name from the glass dock before he was handed a 25 year prison sentence for causing the death of a child, child cruelty and sexual assault.
Preston Davey deserved better. Demand a national inquiry
The evil pair had been in the process of adopting little Preston when he died at Blackpool Victoria Hospital on July 27, 2023.
He had only moved in with the couple at their home in Staining Road, Staining less than four months earlier.
In the short time he was in their care he suffered more than 40 trauma injuries, with “in excess” of 30 ‘non-accidential’ bruises across his body.
He was taken to hospital three times. Social workers visited regularly. His killer even admitted to having dark thoughts about him. Yet no concerns were raised by the professionals in his life.
Videos and pictures cataloguing the abuse towards Preston were said in court to be trophies of the couple’s crimes.
Following the sentencing, which drew attention from both regional and national news outlets, Sarah and Gary made the brave decision to stand with lead detective DCI Andy Fallows on the steps outside the court as he read excerpts from their victim impact statements.
Shortly before the press conference, Niamh Cardwell-Clarke, the organiser of the Preston Davey vigil, which took place on Preston’s Flag Market on what should have been the youngster’s fourth birth, met with Sarah to pass on some of the tributes left for her son.
The mum-of-three from Preston embraced Sarah in a huge hug and handed her a bag full of keepsakes including a picture of Preston, a mini Preston North End kit and teddybears.
Sarah told The Gazette: “The acts of remembrance have been really lovely.
“I don’t mind at all. I didn’t attend (the vigil) as I have my own memories from the wonderful seven months I got to spend time with Preston.
“It has all really meant a lot though.”
Preston’s birth dad Gary said he chose to attend the Preston vigil for a chance to honour his only son, who he never had the chance to meet.
He said: “I’m glad I went. It was nice to see all those people remember Preston.”
Speaking during Tuesday’s vigil Niamh Cardwell-Clarke said: “When I heard about the Preston Davey case it really did affect me, it brought me to tears. I struggled to get him off my mind.
“With that I felt compelled to do something for him. After realising his fourth birthday was coming up I thought it would be a nice touch to do something to remember him by on his birthday.”
Preston Davey deserved better. Demand a national inquiry
Preston Davey was born on June 16, 2022 in Styal Women’s Prison in Wilmslow.
Sarah had been recalled to prison for breaching her life licence after she was convicted at 14-years-old along with friend — then known as Lisa Healey — of torturing and killing 71-year-old widow Lily Lilley of West Street, Failsworth in 1998.
The pair were both sentenced to a minimum of eight years in prison.
Sarah has been released on licence numerous times since her first release in March 2013 but was awaiting parole when she gave birth to Preston.
She was able to spend the first five days of his life with him in hospital. But as she had no certainty of parole was told he would be unable to keep her newborn son with her behind bars.
Sarah hoped her mum, Debbie, who is also the guardian of her six-year-old daughter, would be able to take care of Preston.
But her mum was battling breast cancer and deemed too unwell by social workers to meet the needs of the newborn baby at that time.
Social workers from Adoption Now working on behalf of Oldham Council took Preston into care at five days old and placed him with long-standing and loving foster carers Sandra and Paul Cooper where he remained until shortly before he turned 10-months-old and was placed with Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley.
Sarah was able to make memories with Preston during seven months of regular family time facilitated by the Coopers.
Sarah pleaded with social workers for Preston to stay with the Coopers but was told his placement with them could only ever be temporary.
Then after extensive background checks and getting to know you sessions, a fatal decision was made to match him with his killer and abuser.
Less than four months later and before the adoption could be completed the ‘happy and bubbly baby’ was dead.
Questions now need to be asked - and answered - about how a baby boy in the care of the state could be so badly let down by every system designed to protect him?