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.
Varley, described as “evil” and a “sadist” by detectives, was given a whole life term for murder and 24 other offences after an eight-week trial ending in June.
His co-defendant was jailed for 25 years.
Preston had been taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital three times before his death and seen by a “battery of professionals” including medical staff, social workers and welfare officers from various bodies.
Wilson told the hearing an inquest had initially been opened shortly after Preston’s death but was then suspended while police investigated, culminating in the trial and conviction of his adoptive parents.
Wilson said he had to consider whether an inquest should continue, given “relevant issues” had already been heard during the eight-week criminal trial.
However, while he said he would not make a final decision on Monday, subject to submissions from lawyers for other public bodies, it was “highly likely” one would take place, probably in the autumn of next year.
He said: “I feel there’s sufficient reason to resume. There are acts and omissions of public authorities that need to be scrutinised in a public hearing in which Preston’s family can participate.
“It’s clearly going to be a wide-ranging inquiry.”
The coroner said he was aware there had been calls for a public inquiry, but his role meant that was not a matter for himself to consider, but to proceed on the basis of whether or not to hold an inquest.
The court heard Oldham Safeguarding Children’s Partnership, had resumed a review into Preston’s death, following its suspension for the criminal trial to take place.
This review was likely only to be completed by January 2027, and the inquest cannot be held before then, the court heard.
Much of the hearing dealt with which people or public bodies should be legally represented at any inquest.
They included Preston’s biological mother and grandmother, Sara and Debbie Davey, neither of whom were present for the hearing but were represented by lawyers in court.
Preston was born while his mother was in custody and a place in a mother and baby unit in prison was refused, the court heard.
Instead, he was taken from her by a court order from Oldham Council and placed with temporary adoptive parents before being adopted by Varley and McGowan.
Adoption Now, which handled Preston’s adoption, was represented at the hearing, along with Bolton Council, described as the “host” council for the body.
While Oldham Council managed Preston’s adoption, Bolton Council also had a role, the hearing was told.
Also present were lawyers for Gary Nolan, Preston’s father, along with legal representatives for the NHS trust running Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
Whether South Shore Academy, the high school where Varley worked should be involved in the inquest, was a matter still to be resolved, the hearing was told.
Also to be decided was whether Lancashire Police should have lawyers representing the force at an inquest.
The trial heard their officers had been called after Preston had been taken for the first time to hospital suffering injuries and safeguarding concerns were raised, but no further action was taken.
Mr Wilson adjourned for a further hearing to be held in October, telling Preston’s father: “Please accept everyone’s condolences, I’m conscious we are approaching his anniversary.”
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