Jamie Varley, a 37-year-old secondary school teacher, has been sentenced to a whole-life term for the murder of his 13-month-old adopted son, Preston Davey. Varley, described as an 'evil monster' and 'sadistic' by investigators, subjected the baby to months of horrific physical, sexual, and emotional abuse before killing him during a sexual assault.
Chilling Text Messages Revealed
Just days before the murder, on April 6, 2023, Varley texted his sister, a baby sleep trainer, saying: 'He's dead meat today. I didn't sleep last night after 11.30. Up every one and a half hours.' The text came only six days after Preston had been formally placed in the couple's care. Varley and his partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, had been approved for adoption by Adoption Now on January 6, 2023. Preston spent his first night at their home in Staining Road, Blackpool, on April 1.
Pattern of Abuse
Preston suffered 40 traumatic injuries during his short life. He was routinely ill-treated, had indecent images and videos taken of him, and was sexually abused and physically assaulted. On July 10, 2023, just four days after Preston had been admitted to Blackpool Victoria Hospital for a third time, Varley texted his partner 'jokingly' saying 'your son's in hospital. I strangled him', followed by 'Jokes. Just give me a call when done.'
Final Hours and Medical Response
On July 27, 2023, Varley rushed Preston to hospital, claiming the baby had accidentally drowned in the bath. He told medical staff he had left the child for two to three minutes and returned to find him submerged. However, there was no evidence of water ingestion, Preston's nappy was in place and dry. A senior doctor noted that Varley gave a 'performance' of a grieving parent unlike any she had ever seen. Medics worked for 50 minutes to save Preston, but he was pronounced dead.
Post-Mortem Findings
A Home Office post-mortem examination ruled out drowning. It found around 40 non-accidental injuries, including 'fingertip' bruises on his head, face and limbs, slap marks on his leg, and a human bite mark on his right buttock. Preston also had injuries to his mouth, throat and bottom, consistent with 'forcible penetration' and sexual abuse. Police recovered photos taken four days before his death during a sexual assault, showing Preston suspended over his cot with his neck on the bar, seemingly unconscious. Ninety minutes before his final hospital admission, Varley recorded a video of Preston in extreme distress, taking 'agonal breaths', while using Snapchat and checking emails.
Sentencing and Reactions
After an eight-week trial, Varley was given a whole-life term with no chance of parole. His partner McGowan-Fazakerley was jailed for 25 years for allowing the abuse and participating in sexual abuse. Detective Chief Inspector Andy Fallows, who led the investigation, said: 'Jamie Varley is an evil and monstrous individual who sexually, physically and mentally abused a vulnerable baby for his own sadistic pleasure. I struggle to imagine the horror that Preston endured in his short life. This has been one of the most challenging investigations our force major investigation team has ever undertaken, and the most extreme example of sordid and wicked behaviour by two completely remorseless human beings. This is a case which has truly shocked the nation.'
