A jury has delivered verdicts in the trial of two men charged following the death of a 13-month-old boy. On July 27, 2023, little Preston Davey passed away at Blackpool Victoria Hospital after being rushed to A&E by his adoptive fathers, Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazackerley. Despite paramedics' efforts, the toddler was pronounced dead nearly an hour later at 7.20pm.
Charges and Verdicts
The Crown Prosecution Service charged the couple, of Staining Avenue, Blackpool, with multiple serious offences leading up to his death, including sexual and physical abuse. Varley, 37, faced charges of murder; sexual assault of a child under 13; inflicting grievous bodily harm; five counts of child cruelty; and making, taking, and distributing indecent images. His co-defendant and former partner, McGowan-Fazackerley, 32, was accused of causing or allowing the death of a child; two counts of child cruelty; and sexual assault of a child under 13.
Both denied all charges throughout the gruelling six-week trial. On Monday, June 15, the jury of seven men and seven women found both guilty. High school teacher Jamie Varley was convicted of murder, and John McGowan-Fazackerley was convicted of allowing the death of the child.
Background and Fatal Incident
Preston was born at Wythenshawe Hospital on June 16, 2022, at 36 weeks. An interim care order was granted after an application by Oldham Council. After hospital discharge, he entered foster care until April 2023, when the defendants took him in as an adoptive placement at nine months old. On the night of his death, Varley claimed he left Preston unattended in the bath and returned to find the baby submerged and “floppy.”
A post-mortem examination revealed the cause of death as acute upper airways obstruction, possibly from smothering or insertion of an object into the mouth. The court heard Preston did not appear wet when rushed to hospital; his curly hair and body were dry, and chest compressions did not expel water from his airways.
Evidence of Abuse
The prosecution alleged Preston was “routinely ill-treated, sexually abused, and physically assaulted.” Forty “traumatic” and “non-accidental injuries” were found internally and externally on his face, head, mouth, upper limbs, back, and thigh. The thigh bruise was consistent with at least one slap. There were also internal and external injuries to his bottom, bowel, and bladder, and bruising to the back of his throat.
