Anne Whyte KC delivered an emotional and deeply personal closing speech that left many in Preston Crown Court visibly moved. She told the jury that if you trust and love someone, you are the very last person to suspect them of causing harm to a child.

The lawyer described her client, McGowan-Fazakerley, as a quiet and decent man who was often away at work and had limited experience caring for young children. Because of his work schedule, he had placed complete trust in his partner and in the professionals who regularly visited the home to check on the adopted baby Preston.

She emphasized that Preston was a highly visible child. No one was hiding him from the world or from the social workers and health visitors responsible for monitoring his welfare. The defense argued that it would be wrong to convict anyone simply by ᴀssociation without clear evidence of personal involvement.

The court also heard that McGowan-Fazakerley initially believed the baby had died from secondary drowning, possibly complicated by a chest infection. He had trusted the medical professionals and social workers involved in Preston’s care and had no reason to suspect anything was wrong until it was too late.

Whyte KC warned the jury against finding guilt by ᴀssociation alone. She said it is not enough to convict someone simply because they lived in the same house. The jury must look at the specific evidence against each defendant separately, she argued.

This emotional plea has added a powerful human element to the final stages of the seven-week trial. It has forced jurors to consider not only the forensic evidence but also the reality of trust and reliance within a relationship.

Outside the courtroom, the speech has resonated with many who have followed the case. It has highlighted the difficult position of someone who works long hours and depends on others to care for a child while professionals are also involved in regular monitoring.

The defense stressed that her client had no childcare experience and therefore relied heavily on the advice and ᴀssessments of trained social workers and health visitors. This reliance, she said, was entirely reasonable and did not indicate any wrongdoing.

As the judge prepares to sum up the case before the jury retires, this argument about trust and human nature could play an important role in deliberations. It offers jurors an alternative way of looking at the relationship between the two accused men.

Political figures have also reacted to the closing speeches. Several MPs have renewed calls for a national inquiry into how adoptive placements are monitored and whether enough support is given to new parents who may lack experience with young children.

The trial has exposed uncomfortable questions about how much responsibility should fall on working parents who trust both their partners and the professional system. The defense has argued that this trust should not automatically be treated as evidence of guilt.

With the jury expected to begin its deliberations soon, the emotional weight of this plea remains fresh in the courtroom. It has ensured that the human story behind the tragic case continues to influence how the evidence is viewed.

Source: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/preston-daveys-gran-wanted-keep-34128960