Jamie Varley, 37, has been handed a whole life order for the murder of Preston Davey. The high school teacher was found guilty of murdering the 13-month-old during a sexual assault on July 27, 2023. His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, has also been jailed for his role in Preston's death, as well as a joint sex attack on the helpless child four days earlier.
Convictions and Sentencing
This week, Varley was found guilty 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. The pair were sentenced on Thursday, June 18.
High Court judge Mr Justice Turner told the court: 'Balancing the aggravating and mitigating features I’m satisfied a starting point of a whole life order is necessary. This is a case of the utmost gravity. You will stay in prison for the whole of your life. You will never be released.'
Background of the Case
Preston Davey was adopted by Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazakerley. He was born to convicted killer Sarah Davey. Five days after his birth, the 5lb 7oz baby was taken into the care of Oldham council and, at nine months old, was handed over to Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley, who had been approved to adopt a child.
The baby was subjected to ever increasing physical, sexual and emotional abuse at the hands of teacher Varley in the months that followed. McGowan-Fazakerley turned a blind eye to the escalating abuse and on July 23 took part in a joint attack on Preston, as he slumped helplessly over the bars of his cot.
On July 27, Preston was carried into Blackpool Victoria Hospital in cardiac arrest and pronounced dead at 7.18pm.
Preston's Mother in Court
Preston's mother Sarah was also in court today. Now aged 43, Davey was aged 14 when she and her 15-year-old friend Lisa Healey befriended vulnerable grandmother Lily Lilley, who lived alone, before she invited them into her home on West Street, Failsworth, in 1998. The pair then brutally tortured Lily before choking her to death. Davey was handed a life sentence for the offence by a judge in 1999.
Appearing at the sentencing, Varley was dressed casually in the dock, wearing faded black jeans and a dark polo shirt. McGowan-Fazakerley wore a navy suit, as he did throughout the trial.
