A secondary school teacher has been jailed for life for sexually abusing and murdering the baby boy he was adopting with his partner. Jamie Varley, 37, was handed a whole-life order on Thursday for abusing and killing 13-month-old Preston Davey, meaning he will never be eligible for parole. His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was jailed for 25 years for sexual abuse, child cruelty and allowing the death of a child.
Preston crown court heard that the couple treated the baby as a “plaything” and routinely ill-treated, sexually abused and physically assaulted him during his time at their home in Staining, near Blackpool. Evidence showed the baby had 40 traumatic injuries. On 27 July 2023, the couple took an unresponsive Preston to hospital, where medics tried for 50 minutes to save his life. Varley claimed he had left the baby in a bath for a few minutes, but no medical evidence supported this; a pathologist gave the cause of death as acute upper airways obstruction by smothering or objects inserted into the mouth.
A police investigation uncovered disturbing images and videos on Varley’s phone, which were used as evidence of physical, psychological and sexual abuse. The case has raised questions about missed opportunities to save Preston, who was seen by social workers, doctors and nurses in his final weeks. He was taken to hospital three times, once with a broken arm, but no alarms were raised and the couple’s explanations were believed.
A child safeguarding practice review launched by Oldham council was paused during the criminal proceedings and has now resumed. Preston was born to Sarah Davey, a convicted killer, and spent his first nine months with experienced foster parents, Sandra and Paul Cooper, before being placed with Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley at nine months old. His maternal grandmother said she had wanted to care for him but was unable due to breast cancer.
In a victim impact statement, Sarah Davey said Preston’s death “should never have been allowed to happen” and that she carried “grief, guilt and heartbreak” every day. She said: “He was defenceless. He relied entirely on you – the adults responsible for him – to love him, care for him, and keep him safe.” Preston’s foster mother, Sandra Cooper, described how he was “joyful, so content” and that his face would light up when they looked at him.
