Preston Davey Trial

[Lolarose1994]

Hidden for those who don’t want to read, it was mentioned in court on 27/04 the reason the prosecution believe the picture is indecent and sexual abuse.

The picture of Preston deliberately positioned and photographed slumped over the bars of the cot whilst asleep show liquid dripping from his mouth. Forensic swabs taken from the bars of the cot examined, stains consistent with the presence of fluid containing saliva, the microscopic characteristics of a sperm cell and a mixed DNA result that could have originated from cells from Preston and Mr McGowan-Fazackerly were found on that swab.

 

[sebanna]

For a lot of evidence they could possibly be seen as naive, overwhelmed new parents making loads of mistakes and at times behaving inappropriately however the cot photograph is just . It's awful that people can do that to an innocent little baby.

 

[Upintheair83]

Some of the updates today and yesterday made my stomach drop. That poor baby boy. I cannot even fathom the suffering he had to endure. Just devastating

There are some things that you read or hear that truly makes you want to get off the earth. Truly....what have we become? As a race, to do this to our most innocent and vulnerable? I can't and don't understand. I feel complete despair at times.

 

[Katienana]

I don't know much about the adoption process other than what I've seen on tv but wouldn't it make sense to complete a mandatory parenting course? Covering all the practical side but also explaining about how to support emotionally, how to comfort, explaining about child development and how you can't spoil a baby with cuddles.
Thinking about it there are probably more tv shows made about how to bake a scone or train a dog than there are about how to care for a baby.

 

[Mancnet]

If they are guilty (and personally I can’t see what they are going to say to defend this but let’s wait and see) then it’s possible they would have some sort of history of sexual fetish, sexual deviancy etc. Does online search history not get checked as part of the adoption process? It would be a quick way to filter out inappropriate adopters.

Varley is certainly being painted to have some sort of personality disorder. I wouldn’t be surprised if more stuff about him comes out after this.

 

[maytoseptember]

I don't know much about the adoption process other than what I've seen on tv but wouldn't it make sense to complete a mandatory parenting course? Covering all the practical side but also explaining about how to support emotionally, how to comfort, explaining about child development and how you can't spoil a baby with cuddles.

They do all this. Well, they used to. The process to get approved as adoptive parents was/is vigorous and long. They’re told about “therapeutic parenting” and the challenges of adopting children who have been exposed to drugs and alcohol, or neglect/abuse, and who might have attachment issues, medical issues and SEND.

Makes me wonder whether Varley truly engaged with the process, or just sat there not taking it in, seeing it as a series of small hurdles towards the end goal of getting a child, iyswim.

 

[Nelly's mum]

They do all this. Well, they used to. The process to get approved as adoptive parents was/is vigorous and long. They’re told about “therapeutic parenting” and the challenges of adopting children who have been exposed to drugs and alcohol, or neglect/abuse, and who might have attachment issues, medical issues and SEND.

Makes me wonder whether Varley truly engaged with the process, or just sat there not taking it in, seeing it as a series of small hurdles towards the end goal of getting a child, iyswim.

With Varley's background - education, head of year, safeguarding lead, gay in a committed relationship - he would know exactly how to present himself to other professionals involved with children and families, what to say and what not to say. I'm sure that other professionals thought he was their dream prospective parent.
Sadly, people only show aspects of themselves they want others to see, if people are not honest then I don't know how you can pick out the wronguns.

I can kinda understand a new parent being overwhelmed, maybe some neglect or not always being the best parent you can be - I'm not condoning this but parenting is tough at times - but to repeatedly SA a child, that is something so awful, it is something deep within his psyche and it hasn't just come out of the blue as a response to being a stressed new parent

 

[Tanley]

Varley was a teacher and also designated safeguarding lead. He would have done a lot of training in those roles. It’s clear that he knew how to present himself as a middle class professional with a good understanding of children’s needs.
I do wonder if he was rushed through the adoption process due to the above?
When my friend adopted her son she was put through so many hoops: parenting courses, social worker assessments, etc. (as it should be) It was a two year process before her and her husband were approved to adopt. And then a very gradual transition from the foster family when they were matched with a one year old baby, much slower than Preston who seems to have moved in with Varley after a couple of sleepovers

 

[nothinonyou]

By all accounts Varley was a popular guy, seemed to have many friends and had garden parties during the summer and was a well liked teacher as well. This would've helped the adoption process I'd imagine, he'd get glowing character references. Really a wolf in sheep's clothing

 

[Liverbird2003]

Hidden for those who don’t want to read, it was mentioned in court on 27/04 the reason the prosecution believe the picture is indecent and sexual abuse.

The picture of Preston deliberately positioned and photographed slumped over the bars of the cot whilst asleep show liquid dripping from his mouth. Forensic swabs taken from the bars of the cot examined, stains consistent with the presence of fluid containing saliva, the microscopic characteristics of a sperm cell and a mixed DNA result that could have originated from cells from Preston and Mr McGowan-Fazackerly were found on that swab.

Reading that makes me want to cry. How can someone be so cruel? Cruel isn't even the right word. It is horrific. Poor little baby.

 

[IGiveUp22]

If they are guilty (and personally I can’t see what they are going to say to defend this but let’s wait and see) then it’s possible they would have some sort of history of sexual fetish, sexual deviancy etc. Does online search history not get checked as part of the adoption process? It would be a quick way to filter out inappropriate adopters.

I was talking about this on the real crime and murder thread before the thread dedicated to the trial was made as discussions were being had about “better” vetting. I am not sure the answer to this question but I reckon it’s probably a no. Many people do watch porn and would never dream of doing anything like this so it would likely a difficult line to draw as to what is “acceptable” and what shows a propensity to commit violence or sexual abuse.
As others have said, he was a teacher, likely with a DBS check which would point to no criminal history and he was a safeguarding lead.

I am not sure what extra checks that could be introduced to prevent something like this happening? (Genuine question).
I am interested to see if anything does come out later (possibly after the trial) as to whether there were any instances of inappropriate behaviour but that hasn’t been recorded as criminal

 

[flippa24]

Reading that makes me want to cry. How can someone be so cruel? Cruel isn't even the right word. It is horrific. Poor little baby.

Same! This trial is really affecting my mental health, I literally cannot stop thinking about Preston. I’m sure I read somewhere that his bowels were punctured? Gosh that breaks my heart

 

[rosieflowers]

Same! This trial is really affecting my mental health, I literally cannot stop thinking about Preston. I’m sure I read somewhere that his bowels were punctured? Gosh that breaks my heart

Me too I cant stop thinking about this case it's just too horrific. To take a beautiful vulnerable baby from safety and treat him so cruelly the fear he must have felt, having noone that treated him kindly I feel like I just can't bear it something that particularly strikes a chord with me is that he was a poor sleeper. My two are both awful sleepers, my first baby slept in 45- 90 minutes blocks until she was probably 2, and even now doesn't STTN. I understand the frustration and sleep deprivation but I just loved them all the more through it especially with my 2nd, I love the quiet moments alone in the middle of the night where Im the only one who can comfort him. To abuse that in the worst way and then to spin the lack of sleep in a traumatised baby as an EXCUSE for what they did is just beyond what I can comprehend and I think that's part of why im obsessed with this case the responsibility for a vulnerable little being is so great and such a gift and to abuse it is just incomprehensible to me

 

[Square Peg]

Hidden for those who don’t want to read, it was mentioned in court on 27/04 the reason the prosecution believe the picture is indecent and sexual abuse.

The picture of Preston deliberately positioned and photographed slumped over the bars of the cot whilst asleep show liquid dripping from his mouth. Forensic swabs taken from the bars of the cot examined, stains consistent with the presence of fluid containing saliva, the microscopic characteristics of a sperm cell and a mixed DNA result that could have originated from cells from Preston and Mr McGowan-Fazackerly were found on that swab.

But that doesn’t prove anything came from Preston’s mouth apart from drool. They didn’t test his drool, they tested the cot bars. They can’t prove the sperm cells came from his drool. Believe me I wish they could.

 

[Square Peg]

Same! This trial is really affecting my mental health, I literally cannot stop thinking about Preston. I’m sure I read somewhere that his bowels were punctured? Gosh that breaks my heart

That’s the part I can’t stop thinking about, that must be 100% positive proof. Some of the other charges are wishy washy.

 

[Square Peg]

Me too I cant stop thinking about this case it's just too horrific. To take a beautiful vulnerable baby from safety and treat him so cruelly the fear he must have felt, having noone that treated him kindly I feel like I just can't bear it something that particularly strikes a chord with me is that he was a poor sleeper. My two are both awful sleepers, my first baby slept in 45- 90 minutes blocks until she was probably 2, and even now doesn't STTN. I understand the frustration and sleep deprivation but I just loved them all the more through it especially with my 2nd, I love the quiet moments alone in the middle of the night where Im the only one who can comfort him. To abuse that in the worst way and then to spin the lack of sleep in a traumatised baby as an EXCUSE for what they did is just beyond what I can comprehend and I think that's part of why im obsessed with this case the responsibility for a vulnerable little being is so great and such a gift and to abuse it is just incomprehensible to me

I’m thinking the acid reflux caused a lot of his restless nights, I know he was on medication for it, but I would’ve had his cot tilted and his cot right next to my bed to keep my hand holding his to comfort him, they had him in a separate room for godsake, I’d have kicked my partner to the spare room and had him in bed with me, these two mats had no idea how to treat him and that’s before the abuse

 

[TheMiceInTheShed]

I’m thinking the acid reflux caused a lot of his restless nights, I know he was on medication for it, but I would’ve had his cot tilted and his cot right next to my bed to keep my hand holding his to comfort him, they had him in a separate room for godsake, I’d have kicked my partner to the spare room and had him in bed with me, these two mats had no idea how to treat him and that’s before the abuse

Definitely!

Poorly baby in a new environment with total strangers - of course he was unsettled and sleeping badly. He was alone, in pain and frightened. He was desperately crying for his foster mammy - the person he had bonded with, felt safe with, and who he instinctively knew would comfort him and do her best to ease his reflux pain.

But he was left to cry and suffer alone and uncared for.

And as you rightly say. - that's before the intentional abuse. Thatcasual, uncaring neglect was more than cruel enough.

I hope this pair never get out of jail.

 

[Padparadascha]

The lack of compassion isnt a male thing. My baby was colicky from birth for the first 3 months and would only stop screaming with pain about 30 mins before his next feed was due. Because I had a section, my husband would spend literal hours rocking the baby while I snatched some sleep in between breastfeeding stints. Neither of us got much sleep in those days.

I believe they planned to abuse the baby boy they would get.

 

[dottynotty]

The lack of compassion isnt a male thing. My baby was colicky from birth for the first 3 months and would only stop screaming with pain about 30 mins before his next feed was due. Because I had a section, my husband would spend literal hours rocking the baby while I snatched some sleep in between breastfeeding stints. Neither of us got much sleep in those days.

I believe they planned to abuse the baby boy they would get.

I have a feeling thing was more JV - his husband should have reported his concerns. Your husband had the paternal bond with your baby as it’s his. They seem to have done an adoption thinking it would be all perfect and not accounting for the baby which is a stranger to them not being perfect and having complex issues.i feel like JV got bored and annoyed and then used the baby for his gratification- they didn’t have the natural bond. The poor thing was an object to complete their relationship and then was a victim of the stay at home dad and then failed and maybe taken advantage of by the working dad. Whatever happened he deserved more.

 

[Ghostranch]

Perhaps I've misunderstood but it seems like baby Preston was handed over to these monsters within just a few days. Is that what happened? Surely it should have been a much longer process of getting to know him, gradually increasing the length of visits etc. I'm hoping I've gotten it wrong but it seems so sudden. Like one minute he's with a loving foster mum who comforts him when he needs it, and the next he's with two strangers who don't seem to understand or care that he's traumatised. It just seems like a bizarrely quick process.

Another thing that confused me is that when they contacted 111 about breathing difficulties, they were waiting for a callback. Surely any breathing concerns in a baby should be dealt with immediately. I don't understand why an ambulance wasn't sent or at the very least they were advised to take him to A&E.

It's an absolutely heartbreaking case. The details are so distressing. Can't get his beautiful little face out of my mind.