THE PRESTON DAVEY TRAGEDY: THE SHOCKING SECOND CASE AT BLACKPOOL HOSPITAL JUST 24 HOURS EARLIER!
The horrific murder of 13-month-old Preston Davey has exposed a dark secret within Blackpool Victoria Hospital. Just one day before Preston was tragically sent back to his abusive adoptive parents, another young boy was admitted to the exact same ward with clear, ignored warning signs of abuse. Critics are calling out a fatal pattern of negligence that could have saved Preston’s life. The shocking connection between Preston Davey’s case and this second, silenced victim that the hospital tried to bury was a devastating missed opportunity in the same A&E department that highlighted systemic safeguarding failures.
A Life Cut Short: Preston Davey’s Brief and Tragic Existence
Preston Davey was born on June 16, 2022, into a troubled family. His biological mother, Sarah Davey, had a criminal history that included being jailed at age 14 for the murder of an elderly woman. Preston was removed from her care at just five days old by Oldham Council and placed into foster care. He seemed destined for a safer life when, in January 2023, he was approved for adoption by Jamie Varley, a 37-year-old former teacher at South Shore Academy in Blackpool, and his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32.
Preston moved in with the couple in April 2023 at their home in Staining, Blackpool. What should have been a new beginning quickly turned into a nightmare of sustained physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. In less than four months, the innocent toddler suffered around 40 non-accidental injuries, including bruises, fractures, and signs of sexual assault. A post-mortem later revealed evidence of forcible penetration and other horrors that shocked even seasoned investigators.
Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley renamed the child Elijah in some contexts and documented their abuse through videos and photos, including disturbing footage of Preston in distress. Varley, in particular, was described as the primary abuser, while his partner failed to protect the vulnerable boy.
Preston was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital on three separate occasions in the months leading up to his death, each time presenting with injuries and symptoms that should have raised red flags:
- May 25, 2023: Varley rushed Preston to A&E, reporting a seizure and breathing difficulties. The baby was floppy and unresponsive, with noticeable bruising on his forehead. Nurses raised concerns about “unexplained injuries inconsistent with the version of events.” Safeguarding was alerted, police were contacted, but after discussions, the bruises were dismissed as possibly accidental for a child learning to walk. Preston was treated for a chest infection and discharged.
- June 30, 2023: The couple returned with Preston suffering from a rash, diarrhoea, vomiting, and high temperature. Bruising was again noted, but Varley showed staff a video purporting to show a toy box falling on the child. It was later revealed the video was recorded 12 days earlier and did not explain the fresh injuries.
- July 6, 2023: Another visit for an injured arm, with varying explanations from Varley.
On each occasion, medical staff observed concerning signs, yet Preston was repeatedly returned to his abusers. Social workers visited the home but did not intervene decisively.
The Fatal Final Visit and the Shocking Second Case
On July 27, 2023, Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley brought Preston to Blackpool Victoria Hospital in cardiac arrest. Varley claimed he had left the toddler alone in the bath for a few minutes and found him submerged. However, the child was dry, with no evidence of drowning. Medics fought for nearly an hour to revive him, but Preston was pronounced dead at around 7:18 PM.
The post-mortem by Home Office pathologist Dr. Alison Armour confirmed the cause of death as upper airway obstruction from deliberate smothering or insertion of objects. There were over 30 external bruises, internal injuries, a fractured arm, and clear signs of recent sexual abuse. A human bite mark was even identified on the child.
The connection to the second case became explosive. Just one day earlier, on June 29, 2023, two-year-old Damion Russell was admitted to the same hospital after a febrile convulsion. Staff noticed a bruise on his head but failed to thoroughly investigate how it occurred or escalate concerns adequately, according to a later safeguarding review. Damion was returned home and murdered by his father, Daniel Hardcastle, in August 2023. Hardcastle was later jailed.
This proximity—two young victims with signs of abuse seen at Blackpool Victoria Hospital within 24 hours—sparked outrage. Critics argue that a pattern of negligence in spotting and acting on abuse indicators allowed both tragedies. The hospital’s handling of Preston’s cases, combined with the missed opportunity in Damion’s, pointed to deeper systemic issues in child safeguarding protocols.
The Trial and Convictions: Justice, But Too Late
In 2026, after an extensive trial at Preston Crown Court, Jamie Varley was convicted of murder, multiple counts of child cruelty, sexual offences, and producing indecent images. He received a whole-life order, meaning he will never be released. McGowan-Fazakerley was convicted of allowing the death of a child, cruelty, and sexual assault, receiving 25 years.
Detectives described the case as one of the most harrowing in their careers. Varley’s behavior in the hospital—chaotic, theatrical grief, and even attempting CPR after medics stopped—was noted as unusual.
Calls for Inquiry and Lessons Unlearned
The case has led to widespread calls for a full public inquiry into safeguarding failures by Oldham Council, Adoption Now, social services, and Blackpool Teaching Hospitals. MPs Chris Webb and Andrew Snowden, along with petitions signed by over 100,000 people, demand answers: Why were repeated hospital visits, visible injuries, and other red flags ignored? How was the adoption approved despite risks?
Blackpool Victoria Hospital’s chief executive expressed horror and committed to improvements, while reviews into Preston’s care are underway. The Damion Russell connection has intensified scrutiny, highlighting how close interventions might have altered outcomes for both children.
Preston Davey’s short life was marked by unimaginable suffering. His story is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in the child protection system. Every missed bruise, unexplained symptom, or dismissed concern represents a failure that cost an innocent child his life. As campaigns for justice and reform continue, the hope is that Preston’s tragedy—and the silenced case just a day earlier—will drive meaningful change to prevent future horrors.
This case underscores the critical need for better training, inter-agency communication, and zero-tolerance for overlooked signs of abuse. Preston deserved better. So did Damion. Their stories must not be buried—they must fuel reform.