Yeah I think this was it. A sexual interest in kids is something that develops around puberty and doesn't leave . Some pdfs have this attraction, others who abuse children do so because it's "taboo" and that's giving them the sexual kick. I think with Varley he was probably a bully and domineering character his whole life. All kinds of abuse were present here just because JV could. Somewhat of an opportunistic crime. No one was ever going to stand up to him or fight back so he took advantage where he saw one. A nasty arrogant narcissist bully
- Status
New to Tattle Life? Click "Order Thread by Most Liked Posts" button below to get an idea of what the site is about:
Just an evil evil scumbag. Hell would be too kind for these 2. I'm hoping their parents are shell shocked in a sense that they questioning how and why, not that they dont believe the verdict.
The video of Preston. So heartbreaking. You can see it in his eyes how much pain he is in. Just disgusting.
The video of Preston. So heartbreaking. You can see it in his eyes how much pain he is in. Just disgusting.
I've thought this a bit, but I think we just haven't seen or heard everything yet. I think more will come out over the coming weeks that will fill some gaps.
You never know, other victims might come forward now too.
I read today’s pod and they have a new series on Trial Plus (I bet you have to pay for access) but it will include an episode interviewing Debbie, Preston’s Grandma and one interviewing a retired Professor of Criminology which sounds really intereting, and one with DCI Fallows who investigated, which will explore the role/his impressions on JMF
Bless the grandmother. She asked if Preston could stay with the foster carers whilst she received treatment for breast cancer and then she would have him but social services couldn't/wouldn't wait.
We’ve a lot of sympathy for his foster carer and grandma especially, but I can’t forget his poor sister. The poor little girl has to grow up knowing she was ‘allowed’ to stay safe with grandma while her little brother was sent to these beasts. Added to what her mother has done, then knowing your grandma was poorly while this was all going on… I hope she’s okay as she grows up 🩷
This is another thing. His foster mum who reported something wasn't right and these two complained about her. They knew for a fact she was seeing right through their bull,so had to get her out of the way. My heart breaks for that poor woman. I'm sure she has done a victim impact statement as well as Prestons biological family.
I've said tirelessly on this thread but foster carers should be treated with way more respect. They know the children inside and out and can be so helpful in settling children into their new homes. Her concerns should have been taken seriously.
Social services should be allowed to make unannounced visits to newly adopted children, particularly pre-verbal babies as Preston was. If these children are being mistreated then it’s easier for the perpetrators to cover it up before scheduled visits. There are too many of these cases still happening where safeguarding reports are ignored.
May they both rot in prison.
May they both rot in prison.
Preston, you beautiful little boy. I wish you were my baby, I would have taken care of you and I’m so so sorry this happened to you. What’s the point of life. I’m so upset, this is the worst thing I’ve read in my life. I can’t believe I was so naive to bring babies into this world when it’s so f****** evil
I just listened to her talking on the podcast and it set me off crying. Just hearing her voice.
Also I’ve read some posts being negative about her parenting elsewhere in terms of the crime Preston’s Mum committed but she didn’t commit the crime and I’m sure she has been to hell and back with her daughter and now to lose her grandson. Give the woman some slack.
That video breaks my heart. His little attempt at a smile, then the confusion and wariness on his face. Plus he looks ill with exhaustion. 
His foster parents must be beyond devastated. He was with them for so long, having a lovely normal happy babyhood. Cared for and loved. Fostering must be difficult anyway, but my goodness, something like this to happen to a baby that you have cherished and minded, it is beyond all imagining.
Yes i’m so glad you said this because I’ve been thinking of her throughout this as well
poor little thing. My heart ache and sympathy will forever lie with Preston first and foremost, but also his dear foster carers and his nan and his big sister. All innocents that have had their lives completely obliterated in the worst possible way. I also have sympathy for the incredible jury members and the police officers involved in bringing these demons to justice. They did a fantastic job and should be proud of themselves.That sweet boy should still be here today and he should be with his nan and his sister living a happy and fulfilled little life. It’s just a complete and utter tragedy it really is. Those responsible and complicit can duck off to the depths of hell.
I feel so relieved that they have been found guilty.
It isn’t really relevant but it is very sad that the day that Preston died was the same day his mum got sentenced in her initial trial.
It isn’t really relevant but it is very sad that the day that Preston died was the same day his mum got sentenced in her initial trial.
Something that's sat uncomfortably with me for a while and I feel like I can say it here. Preston looks mixed race to me, I don't believe that both his birth parents were white. And I can't help but wonder if that played an element into his treatment by these two.
Do we know anything about Preston's birth father?
Do we know anything about Preston's birth father?
I find it strange that sometimes he looks very pale and ginger, and other times mixed race. I thought it was because someone said they were using filters on the photos?
Which would fit with them not seeing him as a person, just an accessory.
This timeline is mind blowing. I forgot just how incriminating that abandoned 999 call was for JMF. Think it’s safe to say he had participated in extreme abuse that day too and he was at least worried Preston might die then.
There is no natural pathology that leaves children struggling for breath in the absolute extreme and then breathing normally a day later.
Timeline of Preston Davey's tragic life
2022
June 16
At 7.03pm Preston Davey is born four weeks early, weighing 5lb 7oz to Sarah Davey at Wythenshawe Hospital, south Manchester.
June 21
He is placed into emergency care with foster parents, Sandra and Paul Cooper, by Oldham Council via an interim care order, where he remains for the first nine months of his life.
2023
January 6
Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley are approved by Adoption Now, a company providing services to local councils. The company says Preston needs: ‘Love, affection, safety and stability.’
February 13
They meet Preston for the first time during a ‘bumped into’ meeting with Mr and Mrs Cooper and social workers at a pub in Aston-under-Lyne, Manchester.
March 23
Introductory meetings begin proper, first at Mr and Mrs Cooper’s home, then later at Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley’s house, in Staining Road, Blackpool.
March 31
Preston spends his first night at the men's home and is formally placed under their care.
April 6
Varley texts his sister, a baby sleep trainer, saying: 'He's dead meat today. Didn't sleep last night after 11.30pm. Up every one and a half hours.’
April 23-25
Varley takes several videos of himself naked in the bath with Preston, some for over an hour, and other pictures of Preston with his genitals exposed. The prosecution said these showed he had a sexual interest in the baby.
May 11
McGowan-Fazakerley abandons a 999 call then calls 111 to report Preston has ‘breathing problems.’ A call back from a doctor goes unanswered.
May 12
Preston is visited at home by a health visitor and appears well.
May 25
At 11.10am Preston is rushed to Blackpool Victoria Hospital, floppy and unresponsive. Varley reports he has had a nosebleed and the infant has a suspected seizure in A&E.
Nursing staff notice two bruises on his head. A medical report states he has `unexplained injuries, inconsistent with a version of events given.’
Hospital safeguarding are informed and social services and Lancashire Police called.
Following discussions with medical staff the bruises are put down to a baby learning to crawl and are not regarded as suspicious. He is discharged two days later.
June 12
Varley takes a photo of Preston naked and sends it to McGowan-Fazakerley with a crude comment about his private parts.
Another picture shows bruising on the child’s bottom - consistent with a human bite mark.
June 15
The night before Preston’s first birthday.
Varley is angry and frustrated because McGowan-Fazakerley is delayed home from a work trip.
At 9.07pm Varley takes a video showing Preston tired and falling asleep while music from the film Moana plays loudly in the background.
As he nods off Varley wakes him by shouting 'Boo'.
He later takes another video of Preston having an apparent seizure, which the prosecution say is the aftermath of a sexual assault.
June 30
At 8.25pm, Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley take Preston to Blackpool Victoria Hospital A&E Department, saying he has a rash, diarrhoea, vomiting and high temperature.
Nurses notice bruising to Preston’s head, but staff are shown a home video of the child pulling a toy box onto himself, by way of explanation.
Varley comments: ‘You lot are going to think we have been abusing him or something.’
It is later discovered the toy box video was filmed 12 days earlier. Preston is discharged the following day.
July 4
Social worker Amy Shepherdson visits and finds Preston is not himself and looks 'pale.'
She notes: 'He tried to smile several times but then this changed to a very sad face and a little cry.’
July 6
At 10.36am Varley takes Preston to hospital for third time with an injury to his left arm, which he says Preston sustained as he lay him in his cot the previous evening.
After X-ray, a cast is applied for a fractured elbow.
The child's social worker, Amy Shepherdson, who had been in contact with the hospital, texts Varley to say: `Just to reassure you they said they had absolutely no concerns. U absolutely did the right thing.'
July 7
Preston is visited at home by Helen Magee, an independent reviewer from Oldham social services.
In her report of the visit, apparently addressed to the baby, she writes:
'I did watch your [Preston’s] responses to your daddies quite carefully as I’m aware that you had a few hospital admissions of late and this made me ponder a little bit as to whether there was a problem I could see.
'I decided there wasn’t.’
The same week Varley tells a work colleague he is struggling mentally and having ‘dark thoughts’ about drowning or suffocating Preston.
July 13
Rebecca Warhurst, headteacher of South Shore Academy, in Blackpool, where Varley worked, pays him a welfare visit because of concerns over his mental state.
He reassures her he is ok and she leaves with no concerns.
July 23
Four days before Preston’s death, Varley takes seven photos of Preston, stretching over a period of three minutes, 12 seconds.
The child, asleep or unconscious, has his head and arms over the top horizontal bar of his cot and his neck resting on it, his body partially suspended and his legs in a `frog like’ position.
His tongue is protruding and his lips appear blue.
Later, Varley also takes a picture of Preston’s ‘abnormal’ bottom.
July 27
At 4.45pm, Varley records a 35-second video on his phone of Preston in ‘extreme respiratory distress,’ gasping and in need of immediate resuscitation.
At 6.30pm Preston is rushed to Blackpool Victoria Hospital in a critical condition and Varley reports he found him submerged in the bath.
A team of paramedics, nurses and doctors attempt to resuscitate for 50 minutes, but Preston is pronounced dead at 7.18pm.
July 31
A Home Office post-mortem concludes Preston’s cause of death is due to acute upper airway obstruction and rules out drowning.
The autopsy also finds around 40 external and internal injuries including bruises to Preston's forehead, throat, mouth, bladder, bottom and bleeding in his lungs.
Some of the injuries are regarded as clinical signs of sexual abuse.
2025
June 11/12
Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley are arrested and charged in connection with Preston’s death.
2026
April 20
Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley go on trial denying all offences.
There is no natural pathology that leaves children struggling for breath in the absolute extreme and then breathing normally a day later.
Timeline of Preston Davey's tragic life
2022
June 16
At 7.03pm Preston Davey is born four weeks early, weighing 5lb 7oz to Sarah Davey at Wythenshawe Hospital, south Manchester.
June 21
He is placed into emergency care with foster parents, Sandra and Paul Cooper, by Oldham Council via an interim care order, where he remains for the first nine months of his life.
2023
January 6
Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley are approved by Adoption Now, a company providing services to local councils. The company says Preston needs: ‘Love, affection, safety and stability.’
February 13
They meet Preston for the first time during a ‘bumped into’ meeting with Mr and Mrs Cooper and social workers at a pub in Aston-under-Lyne, Manchester.
March 23
Introductory meetings begin proper, first at Mr and Mrs Cooper’s home, then later at Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley’s house, in Staining Road, Blackpool.
March 31
Preston spends his first night at the men's home and is formally placed under their care.
April 6
Varley texts his sister, a baby sleep trainer, saying: 'He's dead meat today. Didn't sleep last night after 11.30pm. Up every one and a half hours.’
April 23-25
Varley takes several videos of himself naked in the bath with Preston, some for over an hour, and other pictures of Preston with his genitals exposed. The prosecution said these showed he had a sexual interest in the baby.
May 11
McGowan-Fazakerley abandons a 999 call then calls 111 to report Preston has ‘breathing problems.’ A call back from a doctor goes unanswered.
May 12
Preston is visited at home by a health visitor and appears well.
May 25
At 11.10am Preston is rushed to Blackpool Victoria Hospital, floppy and unresponsive. Varley reports he has had a nosebleed and the infant has a suspected seizure in A&E.
Nursing staff notice two bruises on his head. A medical report states he has `unexplained injuries, inconsistent with a version of events given.’
Hospital safeguarding are informed and social services and Lancashire Police called.
Following discussions with medical staff the bruises are put down to a baby learning to crawl and are not regarded as suspicious. He is discharged two days later.
June 12
Varley takes a photo of Preston naked and sends it to McGowan-Fazakerley with a crude comment about his private parts.
Another picture shows bruising on the child’s bottom - consistent with a human bite mark.
June 15
The night before Preston’s first birthday.
Varley is angry and frustrated because McGowan-Fazakerley is delayed home from a work trip.
At 9.07pm Varley takes a video showing Preston tired and falling asleep while music from the film Moana plays loudly in the background.
As he nods off Varley wakes him by shouting 'Boo'.
He later takes another video of Preston having an apparent seizure, which the prosecution say is the aftermath of a sexual assault.
June 30
At 8.25pm, Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley take Preston to Blackpool Victoria Hospital A&E Department, saying he has a rash, diarrhoea, vomiting and high temperature.
Nurses notice bruising to Preston’s head, but staff are shown a home video of the child pulling a toy box onto himself, by way of explanation.
Varley comments: ‘You lot are going to think we have been abusing him or something.’
It is later discovered the toy box video was filmed 12 days earlier. Preston is discharged the following day.
July 4
Social worker Amy Shepherdson visits and finds Preston is not himself and looks 'pale.'
She notes: 'He tried to smile several times but then this changed to a very sad face and a little cry.’
July 6
At 10.36am Varley takes Preston to hospital for third time with an injury to his left arm, which he says Preston sustained as he lay him in his cot the previous evening.
After X-ray, a cast is applied for a fractured elbow.
The child's social worker, Amy Shepherdson, who had been in contact with the hospital, texts Varley to say: `Just to reassure you they said they had absolutely no concerns. U absolutely did the right thing.'
July 7
Preston is visited at home by Helen Magee, an independent reviewer from Oldham social services.
In her report of the visit, apparently addressed to the baby, she writes:
'I did watch your [Preston’s] responses to your daddies quite carefully as I’m aware that you had a few hospital admissions of late and this made me ponder a little bit as to whether there was a problem I could see.
'I decided there wasn’t.’
The same week Varley tells a work colleague he is struggling mentally and having ‘dark thoughts’ about drowning or suffocating Preston.
July 13
Rebecca Warhurst, headteacher of South Shore Academy, in Blackpool, where Varley worked, pays him a welfare visit because of concerns over his mental state.
He reassures her he is ok and she leaves with no concerns.
July 23
Four days before Preston’s death, Varley takes seven photos of Preston, stretching over a period of three minutes, 12 seconds.
The child, asleep or unconscious, has his head and arms over the top horizontal bar of his cot and his neck resting on it, his body partially suspended and his legs in a `frog like’ position.
His tongue is protruding and his lips appear blue.
Later, Varley also takes a picture of Preston’s ‘abnormal’ bottom.
July 27
At 4.45pm, Varley records a 35-second video on his phone of Preston in ‘extreme respiratory distress,’ gasping and in need of immediate resuscitation.
At 6.30pm Preston is rushed to Blackpool Victoria Hospital in a critical condition and Varley reports he found him submerged in the bath.
A team of paramedics, nurses and doctors attempt to resuscitate for 50 minutes, but Preston is pronounced dead at 7.18pm.
July 31
A Home Office post-mortem concludes Preston’s cause of death is due to acute upper airway obstruction and rules out drowning.
The autopsy also finds around 40 external and internal injuries including bruises to Preston's forehead, throat, mouth, bladder, bottom and bleeding in his lungs.
Some of the injuries are regarded as clinical signs of sexual abuse.
2025
June 11/12
Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley are arrested and charged in connection with Preston’s death.
2026
April 20
Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley go on trial denying all offences.
Ohhhh it could be filters. That hadnt crossed my mind because who filters a baby, then I remembered who I'm talking about!
In the articles it mentioned the police also visited them at home, but it says above they were called. I don’t recall hearing about it previously, does anyone else know? Did they visit then and do some sort of assessment?
- Status