Yunus Mulla,in Prestonand
Lynette Horsburgh,North West
PA Media/Lancashire Police handout
The biological father of murdered Preston Davey has attended a candlelit vigil in memory of his son and told how the baby was subjected to months of "terror at the hands of a monster".
Gary Nolan was speaking as family, friends and well-wishers gathered to pay tribute to Preston on what would have been his fourth birthday.
The 13-month-old died in July 2023 at the hands of teacher Jamie Varley, 37, his adoptive father 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, with the pair due to be sentenced on Thursday.
Speaking as mourners and well-wishers gathered in Preston's Flag Market, Nolan told BBC North West Tonight of his heartbreak and anger at the convicted men.
"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 taken into care by Oldham Council.
His mother, Sarah Davey, now 42, had been jailed at the age of 14 for the murder of a frail pensioner in 1998 and had been in and out of prison since then.
Preston was placed with foster parents at five days old, remaining with them for the first 10 months of his life.
However, in April 2023, Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley were approved for adoption and Preston began living at their home in Blackpool.
Police handout
The trial heard Preston had been taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital three times in the months before his death on 27 July 2023.
People at the vigil lit candles while a piper played the bagpipes followed by a minute's silence.
Organiser Niamh Cardwell-Clarke said the event was about remembering Preston and "the beautiful little boy he was".
She had asked people to "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".
Meanwhile, dozens of people posted images of candles being lit at their homes in honour of Preston's birthday.
