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Preston Davey's Dad Speaks Out at Vigil Marking His Fourth Birthday
Gary Nolan said the vigil honored Preston as hundreds gathered with candles and pictures after 29 guilty verdicts in his murder and abuse case.
- On Monday, June 15, 2026, a jury at Preston Crown Court convicted former teacher Jamie Varley of murdering 13-month-old Preston Davey; his partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, was found guilty of allowing the child's death.
- Authorities placed Preston with Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley in April 2023 following vetting by Adoption Now and Oldham Council, but within four months the toddler died at Blackpool Victoria Hospital with 40 trauma injuries.
- Detective Chief Inspector Andy Fallows, who led the investigation, called it the 'most harrowing case of my career' after evidence revealed the couple treated Preston as a 'plaything,' subjecting him to sexual abuse and physical violence.
- Hundreds gathered at Preston's Flag Market on Tuesday to mark what would have been the toddler's fourth birthday, while the court scheduled sentencing for the convicted men for Thursday, June 18, 2026.
- Oldham Council will reconvene an independent Child Safeguarding Practice Review to investigate potential missed opportunities in Preston's care and identify necessary improvements to safeguarding protocols following the toddler's murder.
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26 Articles
26 Articles
A gay couple, Jamie Varley, 37, a teacher and head of child protection, and his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, have been found guilty of serious offences against a child they adopted in April 2023. Over just four months, the boy suffered systematic physical, sexual and psychological abuse, which ended in his death on 27 July 2023. The tragedy occurred on 27 July 2023 when the gay couple brought 13-month-old Preston Davey to Blackpool Victo…
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources26
Leaning Left5Leaning Right6Center12Last UpdatedBias Distribution52% Center
Bias Distribution
- 52% of the sources are Center
52% Center
L 22%
C 52%
R 26%
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