Sandra Cooper, who fostered 43 children over 27 years, cared for Preston from June 2022 until April 2023. According to Metro, she described him as 'beautiful, happy, and lovable'. The prosecution says that over the final four months of his short life, Preston was routinely ill-treated, sexually abused and physically assaulted, suffering 40 traumatic injuries.
Varley is accused of killing 13-month-old Preston, along with 25 other charges relating to sexual and physical mistreatment. McGowan-Fazakerley is accused of causing or allowing the death and four other offences. Both men deny all charges.
There was a gradual familiarisation process before Preston moved in with the couple on April 3, 2023. After the adoption, planned visits by Mrs Cooper to see the child were made difficult by the defendants, she said. According to Metro, Mrs Cooper described feeling worried and that something was wrong, as if they were hiding him from her. She made a complaint to a social worker about the difficulty in accessing Preston.
Preston was born on June 16, 2022, and went to live with Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley at their home on Staining Road, Blackpool, in April 2023. Less than four months later, at about 6.30pm on July 27, 2023, Preston was brought to the Accident and Emergency Department of Blackpool Victoria Hospital unconscious and in a state of cardiac arrest. Medics tried to revive him but he died. The prosecution said Preston was a 'perfectly healthy boy' before being adopted.
The trial at Preston Crown Court continues. The specific cause of death and the timeline of injuries have not been disclosed in court. The social worker's response to Mrs Cooper's complaint remains unknown.