Latest Update: Preston Davey Case
Latest Update: Preston Davey Case
As of June 25, 2026, no appeal has been publicly confirmed for either Jamie Varley or John McGowan-Fazakerley.
Varley remains subject to a whole-life order, meaning he will never be eligible for parole. McGowan-Fazakerley is serving a 25-year sentence and must serve at least two-thirds before release can be considered.
Oldham Council’s independent Child Safeguarding Practice Review is continuing. It will examine the adoption placement, hospital visits, information sharing and whether professionals missed opportunities to protect Preston. Its findings have not yet been published.
Adoption and child-protection organization CoramBAAF has acknowledged the case’s wider impact on professionals and the adoption community. Public pressure for stronger post-placement monitoring continues.
The case has also intensified scrutiny of Oldham children’s services following reports of safeguarding failures involving other vulnerable children. This is related institutional context, not a new charge in Preston’s case.
A tabloid has claimed that Varley was classified as an escape risk in prison. No official police or prison-service statement confirming that claim was found, so it should be treated as unverified.
June 25, 2026, the court sentences remain the latest confirmed legal development:
- Jamie Varley: whole-life order with no possibility of parole.
- John McGowan-Fazakerley: 25 years in prison, with at least two-thirds to be served before release can be considered.
- No formal appeal has yet been publicly reported.
Safeguarding investigation
Oldham Council says its independent Child Safeguarding Practice Review will be published when completed. It will investigate:
- Preston’s placement with the prospective adopters.
- The assessment and approval process.
- Three hospital visits during his four months in their care.
- Injuries and explanations provided to medical staff.
- Visits and decisions made by social workers.
- Information sharing among healthcare workers, police and children’s services.
- Whether opportunities to intervene were missed.
National adoption response
CoramBAAF, a major UK adoption and fostering organization, said it will issue additional professional guidance after the independent review is published. It emphasized that prospective adopters already undergo regulated assessments but acknowledged that the case must produce lessons for adoption, health, police and child-protection services.
The organization also warned against linking safeguarding risk to sexual orientation, stating that the defendants do not represent LGBTQ+ adopters and that there is no evidence connecting sexual orientation with safeguarding danger.
Political and public pressure
Oldham MP Jim McMahon said the review must establish whether professionals failed Preston and whether opportunities to protect him were missed.
A candlelight vigil was held at Preston Flag Market on June 16, which would have been Preston’s fourth birthday. Members of the public were invited to bring candles, bubbles and teddy bears in his memory.
Still unconfirmed
- No additional person or public official has been charged.
- No disciplinary action against individual social workers or medical staff has been officially announced.
- No publication date has been provided for the safeguarding review.
- “Preston’s Law” remains a public campaign, not enacted legislation.
- Reports about an alleged prison escape plan remain unverified by official authorities.
