Friends of Jamie Varley, the teacher convicted of murdering a toddler he intended to adopt, have exposed him as a 'Jekyll & Hyde' character who deceived those around him. Varley, 37, and his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, subjected 13-month-old Preston Davey to months of horrific abuse before killing him in July 2023.
Friends Speak Out
A source close to Varley told The Sun: 'He put on this front of being this super friendly guy who was a popular teacher and totally together, but there was always something quite dark about him.' The source added that Varley was 'overbearing' and 'dominated everything,' while his partner appeared 'cowed' by him.
Varley was found guilty of murder, child cruelty, sexual offences, and possession of indecent images. McGowan-Fazakerley was convicted of allowing the death of a child, child cruelty, and sexual assault. Both are due to be sentenced on Thursday.
Father's Heartbreak
Preston's biological father, Gary Nolan, spoke at a candlelit vigil marking what would have been the toddler's fourth birthday. He said: 'My son went through four months of terror at the hands of a monster. My son should be alive today on his birthday and not dead.'
Preston was born in June 2022 and placed into care shortly after birth. The abuse he suffered included physical, sexual, and psychological torment, with the couple treating him as a 'plaything.'
