An innocent video of a toddler's accident was used by child killer Jamie Varley in a sinister attempt to cover up the horrific abuse he inflicted on baby Preston Davey. The footage, which showed Preston being hit by a toy box, was presented by Varley as proof of the child's clumsiness, but it ultimately helped secure his conviction for murder.
The Video That Was Meant to Deceive
In the clip, Preston is playing with a wooden bead frame. Unsteady on his feet, he holds onto the wire of the toy until he loses his balance and it topples over, bringing the frame down on top of himself. Two weeks after the video was captured, Preston was taken to the A&E department at Blackpool Victoria Hospital with a rash and a temperature and was admitted overnight.
Medics noticed bruising to Preston's head and asked what had happened. It was at this point that Varley produced the video and claimed Preston was a 'clumsy baby' who was learning to walk and had a squint that affected his coordination. The explanation was recorded in medical notes, which later became evidence in the trial where Varley was convicted of Preston's murder.
The Truth Uncovered
After Preston died, with more than 40 non-accidental injuries to his head, leg, arms, and internal organs, detectives took a closer look at the video. It emerged that the footage was captured on June 18, almost two weeks before the hospital visit. The bruises were more recent, and the video could not account for how they got there.
In the witness box, 'sadistic' school teacher Varley went back on the account he gave in hospital, almost three years ago. The 37-year-old claimed he had said the video was 'an example of the type of thing he does,' rather than a specific explanation for the bruises seen that day. It was one of many lies rejected by the jury, who saw through Varley's attempts to paint himself as a respectable, professional dad.
Conviction and Sentencing
Earlier this week, paedophile Varley was convicted of murder, GBH, sexual assault, cruelty, and taking indecent images of Preston. His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was convicted of sexual assault, neglect, and allowing the death of a child. Preston was just 13 months old when he was murdered by Varley. He had been in the couple's care for less than four months.
Varley was given a whole life term and told he will never be eligible for parole after his conviction for a murder that 'shocked the nation.' His partner was jailed for 25 years for allowing Varley's treatment of the child and taking part in the sexual abuse.
