Preston Davey’s biological dad breaks silence and says ‘monster terrorised my son’

Gary Nolan, Preston Davey’s biological dad, paid tribute to his son in Preston’s Flag Market on Wednesday evening. He said his ‘son went through four months of terror at the hands of a monster’

Preston Davey’s biological dad has said his murdered son endured months of “terror at the hands of a monster” as hundreds gathered for a candlelit vigil to mark what would have been the toddler’s fourth birthday.

Gary Nolan paid tribute to Preston Davey in Preston’s Flag Market on Wednesday evening, joining family, friends and well-wishers in remembering the little boy who died at the hands of his adoptive father in July 2023.

The 13-month-old was killed by teacher Jamie Varley, 37, from Blackpool, Lancashire. Varley’s partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was also convicted of sexual assault, child cruelty and allowing the death of a child. The pair are due to be sentenced on Thursday.

Speaking to BBC North West Tonight, Nolan described the pain of marking his son’s birthday without him and his anger towards the men responsible.

“My son went through four months of terror at the hands of a monster,” he said.

“My son should be alive today on his birthday and not dead.” Preston was born in June 2022 and was taken into care by Oldham Council shortly after birth.

His mum, Sarah Davey, now 42, had been jailed aged 14 for the murder of a frail pensioner in 1998 and had spent periods in and out of prison since.

Preston was placed with foster parents at five days old and remained with them for the first 10 months of his life.

However, in April 2023, Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley were approved to adopt him and Preston moved into their home in Blackpool.

During the less than four months he was in their care, Preston was routinely ill-treated, sexually abused and physically assaulted, suffering 40 traumatic injuries.

The trial heard he was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital three times in the months before his death on July 27, 2023.

Mourners lit candles at the vigil and listened to a bagpiper playing in Preston’s memory.

Organiser Niamh Cardwell-Clarke said the vigil was intended to focus on Preston’s life rather than the circumstances of his death. “The event is about remembering Preston and the beautiful little boy he was,” she said.

“Just come along, pay a tribute, bring a candle, bring a teddy, blow some bubbles and let’s just remember him for the beautiful boy he was and not for the horrific start in life he had.”

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