A secondary school teacher has been given a whole-life order for sexually abusing and murdering the 13-month-old baby boy he was adopting with his partner. Jamie Varley, 37, was sentenced on Thursday and will never be eligible for parole, the judge Mr Justice Turner confirmed.
His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was jailed for 25 years for sexual abuse, child cruelty and allowing the death of a child. The couple had been in the process of adopting Preston Davey, who was placed with them at nine months old.
Preston suffered 40 traumatic injuries during his time with the couple at their home in Staining, near Blackpool. A pathologist gave the cause of death as acute upper airways obstruction, either by smothering or objects inserted into the baby's mouth. Disturbing images and videos on Varley's phone showed ongoing physical, psychological and sexual abuse.
The case has raised concerns about missed opportunities to save Preston, as he was seen by multiple professionals in his final weeks, including social workers and doctors. A safeguarding practice review by Oldham council, paused during the trial, has now resumed.
