Jamie Varley will die in prison.

That was the devastating conclusion delivered at Preston Crown Court after the former teacher was convicted of murdering 13-month-old Preston Davey, a baby he had been helping to adopt.

Varley received a whole-life order, meaning he will remain behind bars for the rest of his life without the possibility of parole.

His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, was sentenced to 25 years after being found guilty of allowing the death of a child, child cruelty and sexual assault.

The convictions brought the criminal proceedings to a close.

But they opened another, much larger question:

Why did it take Preston’s death for the full extent of the abuse to be uncovered?

The details presented during the trial were horrifying.

Preston had been taken into emergency care shortly after birth and spent the first months of his life with foster carers. He was later placed with Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley after they were approved to adopt him.

But within months, concerns began appearing.

Preston was taken to hospital on multiple occasions before his death.

Medical professionals observed injuries, including bruising and a fractured elbow.

One hospital visit in May 2023 followed an episode in which Preston was described as floppy and unresponsive. Medical staff documented unexplained injuries and safeguarding concerns were raised.

Another hospital visit occurred in June.

Then, in July, Preston suffered a fractured elbow.

Yet he remained with the couple.

On July 27, 2023, everything changed.

Preston was brought to Blackpool Victoria Hospital in critical condition. Varley claimed the child had been submerged in a bath.

Doctors and paramedics fought to save him, but Preston died that evening.

The post-mortem examination later rejected drowning as the cause of death.

Instead, the cause was identified as acute upper airway obstruction. Investigators also found approximately 40 injuries, while medical evidence presented during the trial established that Preston had suffered physical and sexual abuse.

The prosecution successfully demonstrated that Varley’s account of what happened was false.

After a lengthy trial, the jury convicted Varley of murder and multiple other offences. McGowan-Fazakerley was convicted of allowing Preston’s death, child cruelty and sexual assault.

Detectives described Varley as a manipulator and liar, while the case was described by prosecutors as one of the most shocking they had dealt with.

Now, however, attention is turning toward the institutions that were supposed to protect Preston.

The Senior Coroner for Blackpool and Fylde has said it is highly likely an inquest will take place, potentially in autumn 2027.

The coroner said there were sufficient reasons to resume the inquest because the actions and omissions of public authorities needed to be scrutinised in a public hearing.

That could involve examination of multiple organisations, including local authorities, adoption services and health services that had contact with Preston

An independent safeguarding review has also resumed following the conclusion of the criminal trial.

The review could prove crucial.

It may examine whether information about Preston’s injuries was adequately shared, whether warning signs were correctly assessed and whether the agencies involved in his care responded appropriately.

Importantly, this does not mean those organisations have been found responsible for Preston’s death.

That remains a matter for the safeguarding review and potential inquest to examine.

But the fact that a coroner believes public authorities need scrutiny demonstrates that the case has moved beyond the question of individual criminal responsibility.

For Preston’s biological family, the pain is unimaginable.

The child had spent the first months of his life needing protection and stability. Instead, his final months became a period of abuse that ended with his death.

Jamie Varley now faces the harshest sentence available in the UK criminal justice system.

But another question remains.

Could the tragedy have been stopped before it reached the point of no return?

The forthcoming scrutiny may be the next chapter in Preston Davey’s story—and potentially an opportunity to identify failures that could help protect other vulnerable children in the future.