A former friend and work colleague of Jamie Varley, who is serving a whole life order for the murder of 13-month-old Preston Davey, has revealed how his mask slipped after a night out when a colleague threatened to call the police on him. Elaine, who worked with Varley at a high school, spoke on the Break The Ice channel about his manipulative behaviour and the abuse she has faced since his conviction.
Meeting Varley at school
Elaine met Varley 14 years ago when she worked as a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) at a school. Varley was originally a technician before becoming a teacher. Elaine later became head of year 11 in a non-teaching role and shared an office with him. They were part of a small friendship group of six people who socialised together.
Describing their relationship, Elaine said: 'He was that annoying friend that I would roll my eyes at things. You know, about his behaviour and things. But that was just what he was like, that annoying friend. You didn’t expect this to be the outcome… it has been absolutely horrendous.'
Manipulation after a night out
Elaine recounted an incident that showed Varley's true colours. After a work night out that she did not attend, Varley came to work and rushed over to her, insisting he had not drink-driven. According to Elaine, two colleagues had witnessed him drink-driving and one said they would have called the police if they had phone charge. Instead of owning up, Varley drove back to the same area the next day, took a photo of his parked car, and used it to claim he had not driven.
'That’s the kind of person he was, or is,' Elaine said. 'Like, suck it up, you know, but then to go out of his way to then manipulate and then go and actually drive his car back to the same area to then take a photo.'
Varley's selfishness and lack of empathy
Elaine noted that Varley never asked how she was doing, even after she had bowel surgery. 'Over the years, never once has he ever rang me up and asked if I’m okay. He was that kind of friend. It was always about him.' She described him as bossy, rude, self-absorbed, and obstructive, but said she could never have imagined he was capable of murder.
After Preston's death, Varley called Elaine and said he was moving to Preston. 'That was him testing to know whether I knew anything about Preston’s murder,' she said. Varley's partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, was also jailed for 25 years for his role in the abuse.
Impact on friends and family
Elaine said she has been targeted because of her association with Varley. 'I’m not this horrible person for knowing him and I just want to get on with the rest of my life,' she said. She hopes Varley suffers in prison. Preston was found with 40 internal and external injuries, and Varley initially claimed the toddler had drowned in the bath.
