Overview
- The Tower will be illuminated in blue on 27 July at the request of Preston’s birth mother, Sarah Davey, as a public remembrance of the 13‑month‑old.
- In mid‑June, Preston’s adoptive carer Jamie Varley was convicted of murder and related sexual and violent offences and given a whole‑life order, while John McGowan‑Fazakerley was convicted of causing or allowing a child’s death and jailed for 25 years.
- Court evidence and a post‑mortem showed Preston suffered sustained physical, emotional and sexual abuse and about 40 separate injuries before his death.
- The house the men moved into shortly after Preston’s death has been placed for sale and is due to be sold at an online auction that closes on 31 July.
- Oldham Council has launched a local child safeguarding practice review after the Children’s Commissioner called the case a failure of the safeguarding system and urged clarity on where agencies—social care, health, police and courts—missed opportunities to act.