Jamie Varley, the former teacher sentenced to life in prison for the sexual abuse and murder of 13-month-old Preston Davey, has reportedly changed his name in an attempt to protect himself from vigilante attacks while incarcerated. According to prison sources, Varley has adopted the alias Harry Jae Robb, filing a formal deed poll application just days after being admitted to HMP Wakefield, a facility known as Monster Mansion due to its high-profile inmates.
Name Change Details and Motive
The 37-year-old child killer is said to have paid £53.05 to legally change his name, adding the middle name Jae to his new identity. A prison insider told the Daily Mail: "He has changed his name to Harry Jae Robb in the hope of giving himself anonymity. He’s absolutely petrified." The source added that threats have already been made against Varley, and he believes the new name will make him less recognizable and safer from potential attacks.
Context of Threats and Prison Environment
Varley's fear stems from the fatal stabbing of Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins at the same prison in October of the previous year. Watkins, also a convicted child sex offender, was attacked in his cell. The Ministry of Justice recently denied rumors that Varley himself had been stabbed. Given the rare whole-life order imposed on Varley last month, he is expected to spend the rest of his life behind bars, making his safety a long-term concern.
Co-Defendant and Previous Attempts at Reinvention
Varley's ex-partner, Christopher McGowan-Fazakerley, received a 25-year sentence for allowing the death of a child, child cruelty, and sexual assault. The pair had previously attempted to reinvent themselves after moving into a £450,000 five-bedroom detached home just three weeks after Preston’s murder, according to court records.
