Friends of convicted killer Jamie Varley have described him as a "Jekyll and Hyde" character who hid a darker side behind the image of a friendly, successful teacher before baby Preston Davey suffered months of horrific abuse. The 37-year-old, who was found guilty of sexually abusing and murdering the 13-month-old boy, is now facing life behind bars after jurors heard Preston was treated as little more than a "plaything" for his own amusement.
Varley and his partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, adopted Preston Davey in April 2023 after being approved as adoptive parents, but the couple are now at the centre of one of Britain's most shocking child abuse cases. Those who knew Varley say they are struggling to reconcile the man they thought they knew with the shocking evidence revealed during the trial.
Friend Describes Attention Seeker
One former friend described him as an attention seeker who craved the spotlight and controlled every situation, while masking what they now believe was a far more sinister personality. The friend, who asked not to be named, 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."
"He always had to be the centre of attention wherever he went and John was a much quieter guy who I think could be a bit embarrassed when they were out and about together. He was just so loud and cringe." The friend added: "As a group of pals, we certainly got the impression John was pretty cowed by Jamie, who we suspected was a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde character."
Ideal Home Masked Cruelty
Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley appeared to offer the ideal home when they adopted Preston. The pair had a comfortable lifestyle and were regarded by many as respectable professionals, with Varley working as a head of year and design technology teacher. But prosecutors said the reality inside the family home was full of cruelty.
The court heard Preston endured repeated physical, psychological and sexual abuse before dying from acute upper airway obstruction. Medical evidence revealed extensive bruising and internal injuries, while detectives said the youngster had been deliberately kept awake and subjected to distress purely for entertainment.
Reign of Terror
Detective Chief Inspector Andy Fallows described the abuse as a "reign of terror", telling jurors that Preston had effectively become Varley's property, with his suffering treated as a source of sordid amusement. There was a stark contrast between that evidence and Varley's behaviour after Preston was rushed to hospital.
Body-worn police footage captured the teacher dramatically throwing himself onto the floor and screaming in apparent anguish after learning the child might not survive. However, those scenes have since been questioned by people who knew him, with one former acquaintance claiming the emotional display was entirely in keeping with his need for attention.
Performance Exposed
"He loved putting on a performance," the friend told The Sun. "Now it all looks completely different." Jurors rejected Varley's account that Preston had accidentally drowned in the bath after forensic experts found no water in the toddler's lungs. Instead, specialists identified injuries consistent with deliberate abuse, leading to his conviction for murder and sexual assault.
McGowan-Fazakerley was convicted of allowing Preston's death, child cruelty offences and participating in the sexual assault. The case has left friends and former colleagues horrified, with many admitting they never suspected the man they knew could be capable of such appalling crimes.
