'The son I never got to meet and never will' - Preston Davey's dad on murder of 13-month-old baby

Gary Nolan, the biological father of 13-month-old murdered baby Preston Paul Arlo Davey, said that he ‘never got to meet’ his son and ‘now never will’ as he awaits the sentencing of the his son’s killer and abuser.

Ahead of judge Mr Justice Turner’s sentencing of killer ex-South Shore Academy teacher Jamie Varley, 37, and abuser John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, Gary Nolan’s victim personal impact statement was read to the court.

The father said: “Preston was the son that I never got to meet and now never will. Sarah and I already had a daughter together who was not quite four years old in the summer of 2023.

“I also have two other daughters, who were 18 and 15 at the time. Following Preston’s birth and being confirmed as his father I was awaiting an appointment with Social Services. The appointment would have been my opportunity to say ‘Hello’ and ‘Goodbye’ to Preston, all within the space of an hour before he was taken away.

“This is what kept me going and made me feel happy that I would get to meet my son. Despite my efforts to push for this meeting, it never took place. My eldest daughter was close to the daughter I have with Sarah in the summer of 2023, and was looking forward to seeing and meeting Preston.

“She would spend time with the daughter I have with Sarah and take her away on trips, something that she wanted to do with Preston too. Sadly, she never got that opportunity. I learnt of Preston’s passing from the police, a day I remember so well, it was just awful.

“Two female officers came to see me and informed me that Preston had been killed and that two men had been bailed pending an investigation. Due to legal matters a lot of information was withheld from me. Upon hearing the news, I remember officers taking hold of me and me blanking out, the next thing I recall is waking up in hospital two days later.

“I am told that I was hysterical and crying and that it was for my own safety that I was taken to the hospital, clearly, I must have been in a bad place mentally. Upon being discharged from hospital, I turned to drink, which I knew wasn’t the answer, but I felt anxious about everything.

“I was having nightmares about Preston, after hearing about the autopsy. The only thing that got me off the alcohol was when I started throwing up blood, at that point I knew that I needed help. Prior to that I didn’t realise just how hard hearing the news of Preston had hit me.

“I am thankful to the church community that they have supported me, and I am now in a better place mentally and tee-total. Despite that I am still, to this day, on anti- depressants and anxiety tablets, things that have only been required following my release from hospital.

“I always hoped that we would get Preston back at some point. Sarah’s mum Debbie looks after the daughter I have with Sarah and I would have loved for Preston to have gone to live with them.

“Now that the daughter I have with Sarah is growing up, she asks about her little brother and wants to know whether he is in heaven. We explain that he is and that he is watching down on her. Preston was my first and only son. The fact that he has been taken away from me has topped me from having a father-son relationship.

“I was looking forward to doing the simple things with him, playing football, teaching him how to ride a bike, having him ask me for help, seeing him learn to drive and of course celebrating his birthdays. This has deprived my three daughters and me of ever having these opportunities.

“Sitting in court and hearing the details of what Preston suffered, is horrible, no one should have to suffer like that, let alone a baby. It’s disgusting. I have seen things in the courtroom that I should never have had to see. Preston went through that, so why shouldn’t I have to see it too? No matter how disturbing it is.

“I have had to get rid of my smart phone to prevent me looking online at things about Preston, it was getting to me. It’s all over the internet and was everywhere I looked. People putting opinions in without knowing the facts and having to see what I and Preston have had to see. It’s just too distressing.

“How can they call him Elijah when he is Preston and will always be called and remembered as that? It makes me so angry that it has been allowed to happen.”