Jamie Varley, sentenced to a whole-life term for the murder of 13-month-old Preston Davey, has reportedly spent his first night in prison weeping and is refusing to eat or leave his cell. A nurse working in a Category A prison has offered insights into his behavior, suggesting he is both terrified and possibly seeking sympathy.
Nurse's Perspective on Varley's Fear
Speaking anonymously to protect her job, the nurse said she would be “absolutely terrified” if she were in Varley’s position, given that fellow inmates may be out for blood. Varley is being held at HMP Wakefield in West Yorkshire, known as “Monster Mansion” for housing some of Britain’s most notorious sex offenders and killers. The prison has seen attacks on inmates, including the fatal stabbings of child killer Kyle Bevan and child sex offender Ian Watkins.
The nurse explained that Varley’s refusal to eat or leave his cell could stem from fear. “There are other prisoners who are serving whole life orders and they don’t have anything to lose. Do they care? Do they want respect? For whatever reasons, they want to harm him, they have nothing to lose at this point. So, if I was him, I would be absolutely terrified. I don’t think I would leave the cell. I don’t think I would eat either. I’d be a wreck,” she said.
Potential Sympathy-Seeking Behavior
The nurse also suggested Varley may be attempting to garner sympathy. “I do think partly from experience that he wants people to feel sorry for him. Maybe he wants the nurse checking in on him. If he knows there’s officers coming in every 15 minutes because he is on an ACCT (Assessment Care, Custody, Teamwork) it gives less time for other people to be after him. The nurses will have to be nice and respectful. The officers will be nice and respectful,” she noted.
She added that the attention from staff could provide a sense of normality. “With all of this and not eating and saying he is suicidal, somebody will be coming in saying, ‘Are you doing ok? Do you need anything?’ He can hear, however, many voices screaming awful things towards him. And then a nurse walks in and says, ‘How are you doing today? How are you coping? Do you need anything? Let’s do your observations. Sit down.’ It’s that sort of sense of normality.”
Professional Treatment by Medical Staff
Despite the nature of his crimes, the nurse emphasized that Varley would receive the same care as any other inmate. “His offences would not affect the care he receives. Every inmate is treated with the same respect and dignity. Any nurse who behaved unprofessionally or openly criticised a prisoner would be unlikely to work as a nurse again,” she said.
She dismissed suggestions that staff might deliberately leave a cell door unlocked to allow “prison justice” to take place, explaining that any death in custody is subject to intense scrutiny and nurses may later have to justify their care in a coroner’s court.
Likelihood of Being Sectioned
Asked whether Varley could be sectioned if he continued refusing food, the nurse said it was unlikely, as refusing to eat alone would not normally justify such action. “If he’s talking like I’m talking to you now, as long as he understands the risks of not eating and understands the risks of being suicidal, we’re allowed to feel that way as people. He’s not stupid. He’s smart. He’s got a degree. He was a teacher. He was a safeguarding leader. He knows what he’s doing,” she said.
She added that staff would continue monitoring Varley unless he demonstrates he is coping and no longer poses a risk to himself. Based on her experience with around 60 prisoners who refused to eat, she believes Varley will eventually begin eating again.
Background on the Crime
Varley is serving a whole-life sentence for the abuse and murder of 13-month-old Preston Davey, who suffered 40 internal and external injuries. His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, was jailed for 25 years for his role in the abuse. Reports indicate Varley is using the name Harry Robb while at HMP Wakefield.
