A baby placed into what was meant to be a safe new home became the centre of a case now forcing Britain to ask how so many warning signs were missed.

Latest confirmed update on the Preston Davey case

As of the latest reliable reports available, the case of 13-month-old Preston Davey has moved from trial and conviction into sentencing, public mourning, and a wider safeguarding review. The most recent confirmed development is that Blackpool Tower is scheduled to light up blue on 27 July 2026, the third anniversary of Preston’s death, in a tribute requested by his birth mother, Sarah Davey. ITV News reported on 3 July 2026 that the landmark will be illuminated in his memory. (ITVX)

Preston Davey was a baby who had been placed with Jamie Varley, a former secondary school teacher, and his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley, while they were in the process of adopting him. According to the Crown Prosecution Service, Preston had been placed with the couple for only four months before he was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital unconscious and in cardiac arrest on 27 July 2023. He could not be saved. (Crown Prosecution Service)

The court heard that Varley initially claimed Preston had accidentally drowned in a bath. Prosecutors rejected that explanation, and medical evidence showed Preston’s condition was consistent with his airway being obstructed rather than an accidental drowning. The CPS said evidence proved Preston had been repeatedly ill-treated in the final months of his life and had suffered more than 40 separate injuries. (Crown Prosecution Service)

On 15 June 2026, Varley was convicted at Preston Crown Court of murder, child cruelty, sexual offences, and indecent image offences relating to Preston. McGowan-Fazakerley was convicted of allowing the death of a child, child cruelty, and sexual assault. The CPS said phone evidence formed part of the prosecution case, including material showing instances of cruelty and illegal images stored on Varley’s phone. (Crown Prosecution Service)

The sentencing took place shortly afterward at Preston Crown Court. Sky News reported that Varley, 37, received a whole life order, meaning he will never be eligible for parole. McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Sky also listed Varley’s convictions, including murder, cruelty offences, grievous bodily harm, sexual assault, and indecent image offences. McGowan-Fazakerley was convicted of allowing Preston’s death, two cruelty offences, and sexual assault. (Sky News)

The judge, Mr Justice Turner, said the case was of “the most extreme gravity,” and told Varley he would remain in prison for the rest of his life. The sentencing remarks described how Varley’s professional background and manner had helped reassure people around him, even when serious warning signs existed. (Sky News)

One of the most painful parts of the case is the question now being asked across the UK: could Preston have been saved? The trial and subsequent reporting revealed that Preston had contact with doctors, social workers, hospital staff, and police in the weeks before his death. Sky News reported that Preston had been taken to hospital multiple times and that professionals had seen him before he died, yet he was returned to the couple’s care. (Sky News)

That concern has now become the focus of a formal safeguarding process. LocalGov reported that Oldham Council has confirmed an independent child safeguarding practice review is underway. The review will examine how Preston’s case was handled and whether opportunities were missed to protect him. (Local Gov)

England’s Children’s Commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, has publicly called the case a failure of the state and the safeguarding system. According to The Independent, she said the review must examine whether Preston’s death could have been prevented and stressed the need for “professional curiosity” across child protection services. (The Independent)

The emotional impact has also been immense. Preston had spent the first nine months of his life with foster carers before being placed with Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley. Sky News reported that he had been in emergency care with foster parents Paul and Sandra Cooper, and that he was later placed with the couple after they were approved for adoption. (Sky News)

The latest public tribute planned for 27 July is therefore not just symbolic. It is part of a wider public response to a case that has raised serious questions about adoption checks, hospital safeguarding decisions, social care communication, and how trusted adults can manipulate systems designed to protect children.

At this stage, the key confirmed updates are clear: Varley will spend the rest of his life in prison, McGowan-Fazakerley has been jailed for 25 years, an independent safeguarding review is underway, and Blackpool will publicly remember Preston on the third anniversary of his death.

Sources: Crown Prosecution Service, Sky News, ITV News Granada, LocalGov, The Independent.