A high school teacher is facing a mandatory life sentence later today for the murder of an adopted 13-month-old baby he sexually abused. Jamie Varley, 37, and his partner, ex-public schoolboy and financial sales manager John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, adopted Preston Davey at nine months old.
In the four months Preston was in their care, 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 had been taken from his mother, Sarah Davey, now 42, by an emergency care order by Oldham Council. Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley were approved for adoption in January 2023, and Preston began living at their home in Blackpool, Lancashire, in April 2023.
Convictions
Following an eight-week trial, both men were convicted by a jury at Preston Crown Court on Monday. Varley, who took a year off from his job as a high school head of year for the adoption, was found guilty of murder, two counts of assault by penetration, five counts of cruelty to a child, grievous bodily harm, sexual assault of a child, 13 counts of taking indecent photos or videos of a child, one of distributing an indecent photo of a child to his co-accused, and one of making an indecent photo.
McGowan-Fazakerley was found guilty of allowing the death of a child, two counts of child cruelty, and one count of the sexual assault of a child.
Live Updates
09:47 Catherine Mackinlay: Welcome to our live coverage. Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazakerley are due to be sentenced after being convicted of offences relating to the death and abuse of 13-month-old Preston Davey. We will bring you live updates from Preston Crown Court throughout today's sentencing hearing, including the judge's remarks and the sentences imposed.
