WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT - Jamie Varley, 37, a former high school teacher, has been handed a rare whole life order for the sexual abuse and murder of his adopted 13-month-old son Preston Davey. The judge declared that Varley will never be released from prison after being convicted of the baby's murder and a catalogue of child sex offences.
His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, a former public schoolboy and financial sales manager, was jailed for 25 years for allowing the death of a child, two counts of child cruelty, and one count of sexual assault of a child.
High Court judge Mr Justice Turner sentenced the men at Preston Crown Court, where cameras captured the dramatic moment. The court heard that Preston had suffered 'unremitting abuse' and neglect before being murdered by Varley during a sex attack.
Sentencing Remarks
Sentencing Varley, Mr Justice Turner said: 'The seriousness of your offending is exceptionally high even in the general context of the offence of murder. It was you who did this. You murdered him. A whole life order is a sentence of last resort for cases of the most extreme gravity. This is a case of the most extreme gravity. You must stay in prison for the rest of your life. You will never be eligible for parole.'
Turning to McGowan-Fazakerley, the judge said: 'Your culpability involved serious neglect of Preston. You failed to take any steps to protect him.'
Background of the Victim
Preston Davey was born on June 16, 2022, and went into foster care five days after his birth. He was the son of convicted killer Sarah Davey, who brutally tortured and murdered a pensioner in Failsworth in Oldham in 1998. Ms Davey has been in and out of prison since the age of 14.
In court, Ms Davey wept as her victim impact statement was read out. She said she will 'never forgive' Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley for sexually abusing the tot for months before he was fatally attacked. She described Preston as her 'beautiful blue-eyed boy,' who was 'perfect from the moment he was born.' She added that the youngster was 'failed by the very people who were supposed to protect' him, and that his death 'is not something I will ever recover from.'
Details of the Abuse
Preston was adopted at nine months old by Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley in April 2023. During the four months that the baby was in the couple's care at their home in Blackpool, he was routinely ill-treated, had indecent images and videos taken of him, and was sexually abused and physically assaulted, suffering 40 traumatic injuries.
Preston died in hospital on July 27, 2023, having suffered a collapse and cardiac arrest after a sexual assault by Varley.
Convictions
Varley was found guilty on Monday of murder, grievous bodily harm, sexual assault, cruelty, and making, taking and distributing indecent images of Preston. McGowan-Fazakerley was convicted of causing or allowing Preston's death, cruelty, and sexual assault.
