'Scrutiny' needed over Preston Davey death, coroner says
A coroner is considering holding an inquest into the death of Preston Davey, an adopted baby who was murdered by his adoptive parents. The hearing aims to determine if public bodies failed to protect the child despite multiple professional interventions.
Why it matters
The case raises serious questions about the efficacy of child protection services and the vetting processes for adoption.
Image source, Handout Image caption, Preston Davey died in July 2023, four months after being adopted
Public bodies need to be scrutinised over the handling of the death of murdered adopted baby Preston Davey, a hearing has heard.
Alan Wilson, senior coroner for Blackpool and Fylde, said it was "highly likely" he would hold an inquest into the death of the 13-month-old, but made no final decision, he told Blackpool Coroner's Court.
Preston, a "highly visible" adopted child, was murdered by former high school teacher Jamie Varley, 37, during a sex attack on 27 July 2023.
He had adopted the child with his partner, former public schoolboy John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, four months before the boy's death. Both were jailed in June .
The court heard they had treated the child as their "plaything", with the baby suffering "unremitting abuse" of sex assaults and physical attacks at their Blackpool home.
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