A man who abused and murdered his adoptive baby, Preston Davey, was described as "full of himself" and often heard shouting at his partner, according to neighbours and close friends. At Preston Crown Court on Thursday, June 18, Jamie Varley was 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, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for sexual assault and allowing the death of his adopted baby. The couple presented as happy, successful, model prospective parents, but the truth was darker than anyone could imagine.
Background of the Couple
Varley was described in court as a self-confessed "Drama Queen," while McGowan-Fazakerley, described as reserved and level-headed, was the "Steady Eddie" in their relationship. They met on Canal Street in Manchester in late 2018 and came from very different backgrounds.
Varley was born in Newark but grew up in Blackpool. He told the jury his mother, Karen Graham, a mother-of-six and "matriarchal" head of the family, was his "best friend." He worked as a lifeguard and, despite dyslexia, eventually became a teacher. He assisted in classrooms before taking his teaching qualifications and became a full-time design and technology teacher at South Shore High School in Blackpool in 2021. Varley was well-regarded and promoted to a designated safeguarding lead with a significant pastoral role.
During jury selection, a panel of 60 potential jurors was asked if they recognised the men in the dock. One woman said, "He (Varley) was my head of year at high school," and was excused from sitting on the jury.
McGowan-Fazakerley grew up in Congleton, Cheshire. An only child, he attended The King's School in Macclesfield, a private establishment charging £18,000 a year. After A-levels, he went to Nottingham Trent University, spent a year abroad at Murdoch University in Australia, then transferred to Keele University to study history and politics. He earned a Master's in politics, diplomatic studies, and international relations, began a PhD, and taught undergraduates at Keele while managing a campus bar. He left academia to work in financial sales and was promoted to northern sales manager in 2022.
Relationship Dynamics
Varley was clearly the boss in the relationship, according to friends. A neighbour described him as "full of himself." They often heard Varley shouting at McGowan-Fazakerley through the walls, but never the other way around. Within six months of meeting, McGowan-Fazakerley moved to Blackpool, and in 2020, the couple bought a £220,000 three-bed semi-detached house with marble floors and chandeliers.
Varley's phone was virtually an extension of his body. He presented his life on social media as "Instagram ready," as one detective put it. His feed included snaps of his immaculate home, successful career, and his miniature pincher dog Maximus. All he needed to complete his life, he said, was a child.
Adoption and Abuse
After approval for adoption in February 2022, they were matched with Preston, a nine-month-old in foster care who "lit up the room" with his smiles. The couple hosted a "Chosen Shower" with cake, decorations, and a balloon arch. Varley painted a living room wall mural of "Preston Elijah," the name they chose. Adoption reports stated the little boy needed love, affection, safety, and stability.
Instead, after Preston began living with them in April 2022, he was sexually abused, tormented, and treated as a "plaything." Varley took a year off work to adopt; McGowan-Fazakerley continued working as the primary earner and also did the cooking, shopping, and laundry. After McGowan-Fazakerley left for work each morning, Preston was left at Varley's mercy. Varley soon became annoyed with childcare, frustrated with lack of sleep, and revealed a sexual interest in children.
Despite a "battery of professionals" around the family, including two social workers, Preston suffered numerous indignities, including indecent photos taken by Varley. Police later discovered Varley also had extreme pornographic images involving animals on his phone. There were no tears for Preston during the trial; Varley seemed affronted to be accused of sex offences, claiming police and child experts were wrong. McGowan-Fazakerley ran a "hear no evil, see no evil" defence, claiming he was unaware of any abuse, but jurors decided he not only knew but participated in the sexual abuse.
Three times in court, McGowan-Fazakerley complained about his life now being ruined without mentioning Preston once. Detective Chief Inspector Andy Fallows, who led the murder investigation, described Varley as "an arrogant, self-centred liar." He added, "He is a serial manipulator and a serial liar, and his defence has basically been everybody else is wrong. I don't see any evidence of regret, remorse, or actually sorrow for Preston Davey."
