Bolton Council’s role in relation to the adoption arrangements for murdered baby Preston Davey could be examined as part of a future inquest, a coroner has heard.
Alan Wilson, senior coroner for Blackpool and Fylde, said it was “highly likely” he would resume an inquest into the death of the 13-month-old, but said no final decision had yet been made.
Preston, described during earlier proceedings as a “highly visible” adopted child, was murdered by former high school teacher Jamie Varley, 37, during a sex attack at his Blackpool home on July 27 2023.
Varley had adopted Preston with his partner, former public schoolboy John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, four months before the child’s death.
The pair had treated Preston as their “plaything”, the criminal trial heard, with the child suffering “unremitting abuse” involving sexual assaults and physical attacks.
Described by detectives as “evil” and a “sadist”, Varley was given a whole-life term for murder and 24 other offences following an eight-week trial ending in June.
McGowan-Fazakerley was jailed for 25 years.
Before his death, Preston had been taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital three times and was seen by a “battery of professionals”, including medical staff, social workers and welfare officers from several agencies.
Mr Wilson told Blackpool Coroner’s Court on Monday that an inquest had originally been opened shortly after Preston’s death but was suspended while police investigated, leading to the criminal trial and convictions.
The coroner said he had to consider whether an inquest should continue, given that a number of issues had already been explored during the eight-week trial.
However, subject to submissions from lawyers representing other public bodies, he said it was “highly likely” an inquest would take place, probably in autumn next year.
Mr Wilson 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 hearing heard that Bolton Council was involved because it is the “host” council for Adoption Now, the regional adoption agency which handled Preston’s adoption.
Oldham Council was responsible for Preston’s adoption arrangements, but Bolton Council also had a role through its connection with Adoption Now, the court was told.
The coroner said any inquest would consider issues involving public authorities, but he stressed his role was to decide whether an inquest should take place rather than whether a wider public inquiry should be held.
The court heard Oldham Safeguarding Children’s Partnership had resumed its review into Preston’s death after it was paused during the criminal trial.
That review is expected to be completed by January 2027, meaning the inquest cannot be held before then, the hearing was told.
Much of Monday’s hearing focused on which individuals and organisations should have legal representation at any future inquest.
They include Preston’s biological mother and grandmother, Sara and Debbie Davey, who were represented by lawyers although neither attended the hearing.
Preston was born while his mother was in custody and a place for her and the baby in a mother and baby unit in prison had been refused, the court heard.
Instead, Preston was removed from her care by a court order involving Oldham Council and placed with temporary adopters before later being adopted by Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley.
Adoption Now was represented at the hearing, along with Bolton Council.
Lawyers for Preston’s father Gary Nolan and the NHS trust running Blackpool Victoria Hospital were also present.
Whether South Shore Academy, where Varley worked as a teacher, should be involved in any inquest remains to be decided.
The court also heard it had not yet been determined whether Lancashire Police should have legal representation.
The criminal trial heard police officers attended after Preston was taken to hospital for the first time with injuries and safeguarding concerns were raised, but no further action was taken.
Mr Wilson adjourned the hearing until October and told Preston’s father: “Please accept everyone’s condolences, I’m conscious we are approaching his anniversary.”
Share