A secondary school teacher has been given a whole-life sentence for the sexual abuse and murder of a 13-month-old boy he was adopting. Jamie Varley, 37, was told by Mr Justice Turner at Preston Crown Court that he will never be eligible for parole.
Varley's partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, a sales manager, was jailed for 25 years for sexual abuse, child cruelty and allowing the death of a child. The couple had been caring for Preston Davey, who was placed with them by an adoption agency at nine months old.
The court heard that Preston was treated as a 'plaything' and suffered 40 traumatic injuries during his time with the couple. He died on 27 July 2023 after being taken to hospital unresponsive. Varley claimed the baby had been left in a bath, but medical evidence contradicted this, and a pathologist gave the cause of death as acute upper airways obstruction.
Police found disturbing images and videos on Varley's phone showing physical, psychological and sexual abuse. The case has prompted a safeguarding review by Oldham Council, which was paused during the trial and has now resumed.
Preston's biological mother, Sarah Davey, who is serving a life sentence for murder, said in a victim impact statement that her son's death 'should never have been allowed to happen'. The baby's foster parents described him as a happy, joyful child.
