The tragic torment of 13-month-old Preston Davey was captured on camera by his adoptive father, Jamie Varley, who subjected the infant to a four-month campaign of abuse. Varley, 32, was found guilty of murder, along with multiple counts of assault, cruelty, and indecent images. His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was convicted of allowing the death of a child and other offenses.
Harrowing Evidence from Varley's Phone
Varley's phone contained hundreds of videos and images documenting the abuse at their home in Blackpool. One image showed Preston playing naked in a paddling pool with a human bite mark on his buttock, described by pathologist Dr. Alison Armour as consistent with a human bite. Another video, taken four days before his death, showed Preston in his cot with his neck resting on the bar, partially suspended. Dr. Armour called this 'very unsafe and dangerous,' noting it could inhibit breathing.
Final Moments and Cause of Death
On July 27, 2023, Varley brought Preston to Blackpool Victoria Hospital, claiming he had left the child in the bath for a few minutes and found him submerged. Medics worked for 50 minutes but could not save him. A post-mortem ruled out drowning and found about 40 non-accidental injuries, including fingertip bruises, slap marks, and a bite mark. The cause of death was acute upper airways obstruction by objects inserted into his mouth.
A video taken 90 minutes before his death showed Preston struggling to breathe, with Dr. Joanne Gifford describing it as an 'agonal gasp.' She said, 'He looks terminal in that video. There are parts of not breathing. Gasping.' Dr. Gifford identified three 'near miss' episodes where the child was in critical condition.
Pattern of Abuse
Varley filmed Preston being spun rapidly on a playground, causing his eyes to roll back. Dr. Gifford described this as a sign of trauma called 'frozen watchfulness.' On the eve of his first birthday, Varley kept Preston awake, shouting 'Boo!' to startle him. Varley also filmed Preston accidentally pulling a heavy abacus onto his head, later using the video to cover up bruises.
Varley had expressed 'dark thoughts' about Preston to a co-worker, saying he had thoughts of drowning or suffocation. He described Preston as 'dead meat' in a text to his sister, but claimed it was just dramatic language.
The jury heard that Varley revelled in terrorizing the child, despite being approved for adoption. The couple's phones revealed the full extent of the abuse, leading to their convictions at Preston Crown Court.
