The grandmother of a baby murdered and sexually abused by adopted parents told social workers the family wanted to keep the child, according to reports.
Preston Davey went into foster care until he was adopted at nine-months-old by Jamie Varley, 37, a former secondary school head of year, and his partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32.
In the next four months until his murder, Preston was used as a “plaything” being routinely physically and emotionally abused, sexually assaulted and had indecent photos and videos taken of him.
Varley was convicted of murder and 24 other offences on Tuesday, following an eight-week trial at Preston Crown Court.
McGowan-Fazakerley was convicted of allowing the death of a child and three other offences.
Preston’s birth mother, Sarah Davey, now aged 42, was jailed as a 14-year-old child for murdering, with a teenage accomplice, widower Lily Lilley, 71, in Failsworth, near Oldham, in 1998.
She has since been in and out of prison and Preston was taken into foster care five days after his birth.
But his maternal grandmother, Debbie Davey, 66, from Oldham, told The Daily Telegraph, she wanted to care for him but was unable to do so because she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
She said: “Sarah wanted to keep Preston but she was told he was going to a foster home.
“Preston was with Sarah for a week while they were both in hospital but then Preston was given a foster home.”
Mrs Davey, who sobbed in court as the jury returned guilty verdicts, said she did not believe two men should bring up a child, adding: “I think a child should be brought up by a mum and a dad. That is my belief.”
Mrs Davey, who is now cancer free, said: “Sarah spoke to the social worker telling her that she didn’t want Preston adopted. She begged the foster mother to keep Preston but was told she could not because she was only a foster mother.
“We wanted social services to allow Preston to stay with foster parents until I was better but they wouldn’t allow it.
“If they’d agreed, he would be here with me today.”
Preston, who would have turned four on Tuesday, was born on June 16 2022 and adopted by Varley and McGowan in April 2023.
Four months later, he was dead, Varley claiming he had accidentally drowned in a bath at their Blackpool home on July 27 2023.
But a post-mortem examination identified more than 40 injuries on his body, as well as internal injuries indicating sexual abuse.
His cause of death was established as acute upper airway obstruction, suggesting something had been inserted into his mouth blocking his airway.
He had been admitted to hospital three times in the months before his death and a social services investigation is under way.
Varley and McGowan will be sentenced on Thursday.
