Neighbour's Report Details Disturbing Behaviour
A former neighbour of Jamie Varley, the man serving a whole-life order for the murder and sexual abuse of 13-month-old adopted son Preston Davey, has revealed she reported him to police years before the tragic killing. The mother-of-five, who lived next door to Varley's family, said he threw lit cigarettes at her children's toys in an attempt to set them on fire.
Varley, 37, a former secondary school teacher, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court last month for the horrific murder of Preston, who was placed in his and his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley's care in April 2023 at just nine months old. McGowan-Fazakerley was jailed for 25 years for his role in the abuse and murder.
Neighbour's Account of Anti-Social Behaviour
Speaking after Varley's sentencing, the neighbour described the "nightmare" incidents she endured while living beside him. She said: "He [Varley] was horrible. I had to report him to the police and to the housing association for anti-social behaviour and criminal damage but he was never arrested." She added that his behaviour left her fearing for her children's safety: "He started shouting nasty abuse and ended up throwing lit cigarettes at their toys, trying to set them on fire."
The neighbour told the Daily Mail: "I wouldn't let my children play in the front of the house because of him, not unless I was on the doorstep. When his family moved out [in 2014], we put the flags out. How on earth he got to be a secondary school teacher, I really don't know."
Additional Troubling Details Emerge
Other troubling details about Varley's behaviour before Preston's murder have also emerged. During the Covid lockdown, Varley reportedly injured his back after falling from a ladder or drainpipe while allegedly spying on a boyfriend—not McGowan-Fazakerley—whom he suspected of being unfaithful.
Following his sentencing, Varley joined the grim roll call of Britain's most dangerous offenders condemned to die in prison, including Wayne Couzens, Levi Bellfield, and Jeremy Bamber.
Preston's Tragic Story
Preston was born to convicted murderer Sarah Davey on June 16, 2022. Just five days later, the 5lb 7oz baby was taken into the care of Oldham Council. Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley were approved as adoptive parents in January 2023 before Preston moved into their Blackpool home in April that year.
Over the following months, Preston suffered escalating physical, sexual, and emotional abuse at the hands of Varley, while McGowan-Fazakerley turned a blind eye. On July 23, 2023, the pair carried out a joint attack on the toddler as he slumped helplessly over the bars of his cot. Four days later, on July 27, Preston was rushed to Blackpool Victoria Hospital in cardiac arrest. Despite the efforts of medics, he was pronounced dead at 7.18pm.
