A secondary school teacher has been sentenced to life imprisonment for sexually abusing and murdering the infant boy he was in the process of adopting alongside his partner. Jamie Varley, 37, was handed a whole life order by a judge on Thursday for abusing and killing 13-month-old Preston Davey. Justice Turner stated that Varley will remain incarcerated for the remainder of his life without the possibility of parole.
Partner Sentenced
His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, received a 19-year prison sentence for sexual abuse, child cruelty, and allowing the death of a child.
Background of the Case
Preston was removed from his biological mother, a convicted murderer, and placed with foster parents five days after his birth. At nine months old, he was placed with Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley by an adoption agency. By the time he was 13 months old, he was dead. The adopting parents treated him as a 'plaything,' according to Preston Crown Court. Prosecutor Peter Wright KC detailed that during his time at the couple's home in Staining, near Blackpool, the baby was 'routinely ill-treated, sexually abused and physically assaulted.' Evidence revealed the infant suffered 40 traumatic injuries.
Fatal Incident
On 27 July 2023, the couple rushed an unresponsive Preston to the hospital, where medical staff attempted unsuccessfully for 50 minutes to revive him. Varley, described in court as overly dramatic, gave a 'performance' of a grieving parent that a senior doctor said was unlike anything she had witnessed. Varley claimed he left the baby in the bath for a few minutes and returned to find him submerged, but medical evidence contradicted this; Preston's hair was dry, he had a nappy on, and showed no signs of water ingestion. A pathologist determined the cause of death as acute upper airways obstruction, either by smothering or objects inserted into the baby's mouth.
Investigation and Evidence
A lengthy police investigation uncovered disturbing images and videos on Varley's phone, proving he had physically, psychologically, and sexually abused the child. The case has raised concerns about whether authorities missed chances to save Preston. During the eight-week trial, it was revealed that Preston was seen by numerous professionals—including social workers, doctors, and nurses—in his final weeks. He was taken to the hospital three times by Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley, once with a broken arm, yet each time he was returned to their care. Explanations for his injuries, provided by Varley (a head of year at a Blackpool secondary school) and McGowan-Fazakerley (a sales manager), were accepted without question.
Review and Family Background
A child safeguarding practice review initiated by Oldham council after Preston's death was paused during criminal proceedings but has now resumed. The independent review will scrutinize the handling of Preston's safeguarding and the involvement of agencies responsible for his welfare. Preston was born four weeks early to Sarah Davey, who was on the mother and baby unit at HMP Styal. Davey was jailed at age 14, with a teenage friend, for murdering a pensioner who had befriended them. The baby's maternal grandmother, Debbie Davey from Oldham, expressed a desire to care for Preston but was unable due to a breast cancer diagnosis. Preston spent his first nine months with experienced foster parents Sandra and Paul Cooper, where he lived happily.
Police and Prosecution Statements
DCI Andy Fallows of Lancashire police, the senior investigating officer, stated that Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley made Preston's life one of harrowing misery and pain. 'It is not often in this job that you encounter pure evil,' he said. 'Anybody who has followed this trial will no doubt understand why I place Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazakerley in that category.' Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley had denied all charges. Karen Tonge of the Crown Prosecution Service remarked: 'This has been one of the most shocking and horrific cases I have dealt with in my career. It is difficult to comprehend how the very people who should have loved him could inflict such sickening physical and sexual harm on an innocent child.'
