Oldham Council has confirmed an independent child safeguarding practice review is underway following the death of 13-month-old Preston Davey, after his adoptive father and his partner were convicted of murder and child cruelty.
Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazakerley were found guilty at Preston Crown Court over Preston's death. The toddler, who was born in June 2022 and taken into care by Oldham Council, was adopted by the pair in April 2023. The court heard he suffered sexual abuse and ill-treatment in the months that followed.
During the trial, Preston's maternal grandmother, Debbie Davey, accused Oldham Council social workers of failing to spot signs of abuse. Preston's mother, Sarah Davey, 42, had previously been jailed as a teenager for the murder of an elderly woman in 1998 and has spent much of her life since in and out of prison.
An Oldham Council spokesperson said the case was ‘particularly heart-wrenching and disturbing,’ and confirmed the safeguarding review would examine how Preston's case was handled. The council said its thoughts remained with his family and others affected.
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