A coroner said there is “sufficient” reason to resume an inquest into murdered toddler Preston Davey’s death, as public bodies may face scrutiny over the case
Public bodies may come under scrutiny over murdered toddler Preston Davey’s death as an inquest is expected to resume.
An inquest into Preston’s death is now highly likely to take place next autumn as Alan Wilson, senior coroner for Blackpool and Fylde, said there was “sufficient reason” to resume proceedings, with a final decision to be made after submissions from lawyers representing a number of public bodies.
Mr Wilson told Blackpool Coroner’s Court: “I feel there’s sufficient reason to resume. There are acts and omissions of public authorities that need to be scrutinised in a public hearing in which Preston’s family can participate., It’s clearly going to be a wide-ranging inquiry.”
The hearing was told little Preston had been seen by a “battery of professionals”, including medical staff, social workers and welfare officers, before he was murdered in July 2023. He had also been taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital three times before his death.
An inquest into Preston’s death was opened shortly after he was murdered, but proceedings were suspended while police carried out their investigation, which led to the conviction of his adoptive parents. Mr Wilson said he would make a final decision after considering whether the “relevant issues” had already been explored during the eight-week criminal trial.
The court heard Oldham Safeguarding Children’s Partnership has resumed its review into Preston’s death after it was paused while the criminal trial took place. The review is not expected to be completed until January 2027, meaning any inquest cannot be held before then.
Monday’s hearing also considered which people and public bodies should be legally represented if the inquest goes ahead. Preston’s biological mother and grandmother, Sara and Debbie Davey, were represented by lawyers, along with his father, Gary Nolan.
The hearing was told Preston was born while his mother was in custody after she was refused a place in a prison mother and baby unit. He was removed under a court order obtained by Oldham Council before being placed with temporary adoptive parents before later being adopted by Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley.
The trial heard officers were called after Preston was first taken to hospital with injuries and safeguarding concerns were raised, but no further action was taken.
Mr Wilson adjourned the hearing until October, telling Preston’s father: “Please accept everyone’s condolences, I’m conscious we are approaching his anniversary.”
Preston was just 13 months old when he was murdered by adoptive father Jamie Varley, 37, four months after he and partner John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, adopted the toddler. An eight-week trial heard the pair treated Preston as their “plaything”, subjecting him to “unremitting abuse” involving sexual assaults and physical attacks.
Varley was handed a whole-life order for murder and 24 other offences, while McGowan-Fazakerley was jailed for 25 years.