Hospital Criticised Over Missed Abuse Signs in Two Toddler Murders

The same hospital that failed to raise the alarm about Preston Davey's injuries before his death has been criticised in relation to another toddler who was also murdered by his father.

Thirteen-month-old Preston was sexually and physically abused by Jamie Varley, a Blackpool high school teacher, before his death on 27 July 2023.

Varley's trial prompted waves of public revulsion and an independent review is under way into how various agencies acted before his death.

Damion Russell was killed by his father Daniel Hardcastle just weeks after Blackpool Victoria hospital staff did not question him about old bruising on his head, the Blackpool Lead reported, external.

A review, by Blackpool Safeguarding Children Partnership, said this did not fulfill the "expected practice".

Hannah Joy Hocking, a friend of Damion's biological mother who has been assisting her with the process, said that any inquiry should include Damion.

"I've seen the news articles about Preston recently, and my brain instantly just went into thinking about Damion," she said.

Damion, two, was seen the day before one of Preston's three visits to the hospital's A&E department.

A court was told the little boy had been subjected to a "horrifically violent" attack by his father in August 2023.

During Hardcastle's sentencing hearing at Preston Crown Court, a judge described how the boy, who died of a brain injury, was found to be "covered in injuries, top to toe and front to back" including an adult bite mark.

Hardcastle, who was jailed for life with a minimum term of 22 years in July 2024, had only recently been granted sole custody of his son.

In Damion's case, a safeguarding practice review in November found that medics spotted a bruise on the toddler's head but did not ask his father what had caused it.

In Preston's case Varley had convinced medics bruising on the youngster was accidental by showing them a video on his phone.

However, it was later revealed the video was recorded 12 days earlier and could not explain any fresh bruising.

Varley was convicted of murder and a raft of other charges including rape and hit with a whole life prison term last week - while his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley - was jailed for 25 years for allowing the death of a child and sexual offences.

Hannah Joy Hocking said: "I think there should be a full inquiry, I completely agree with that and I feel like people need to stand up for these two little boys.

"I feel like Preston's getting a lot of attention at the moment and I do feel like Damion got a little bit left behind."

The trust that runs Blackpool Victoria said it recognised "the importance of continuing to strengthen practice and provide reassurance to families" using its services.

It said "work was already under way before the review into Damion's case was published to support staff in the Emergency Department and in other areas where children are cared for", to make sure "appropriate examinations take place and staff are confident in asking the right questions".

It said it would "carefully consider" the evidence heard in the trial into Preston Davey's death.

Chief executive Maggie Oldham said: "Families bringing their children to our hospital can expect our teams to ask questions about any bumps, bruises or other injuries identified, whether recent or older.

"For babies who are not walking independently, our teams will carry out a full examination while they are in the Emergency Department."