Teenage adoption trial hears evidence of severe abuse in Preston Davey death case

A 13-month-old boy, Preston Davey, died after being taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital on July 27, 2023, and a jury has heard evidence that his injuries were consistent with severe physical and sexual abuse while he was in the care of the men who were adopting him. Jamie Varley, 37, is on trial accused of murder and multiple other offences. His partner, John McGowan-Fazackerley, 32, is also charged in connection with the child’s death. The trial at Preston Crown Court has focused on medical findings, including what experts said were signs of inflicted trauma on multiple occasions and a cause of death they said was not consistent with drowning.

Court evidence described the boy’s history as he moved through care and foster arrangements before being placed with Varley and McGowan-Fazackerley at their home in Blackpool. During the months when adoption was being processed, prosecutors allege he was routinely ill-treated, physically assaulted and sexually abused.

Senior paediatrician Dr Joanne Gifford told the jury that she reviewed post-mortem findings and evidence from hospital records, as well as photos and videos recovered from the defendants’ phones. She said she found around...