The life of Preston Davey, a 13-month-old baby, was marked by unimaginable cruelty. He was killed by his adoptive parents, Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazakerley, after being separated from his birth mother, Sarah Davey, who was imprisoned at age 14 for murdering an elderly woman.
The Tragic Beginning
Five days after his birth in June 2022, Preston was taken from Sarah Davey under an emergency care order obtained by Oldham Council. He was placed in foster care, where he thrived until he was adopted by Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley. During the four months he lived with them, he suffered 40 injuries, many consistent with sexual abuse.
Preston died in July 2023 at the hands of Varley, then 37. His birth mother, Sarah Davey, had been sentenced to life in prison in July 1999 for the murder of 71-year-old widow Lily Lilley in Failsworth, Oldham. Davey, then 14, and her 15-year-old companion Lisa Healey befriended Lilley, tortured her, and stuffed her body in a bin before dumping it in the Rochdale Canal.
Sarah Davey's Life and Releases
Davey was jailed indefinitely but was released on licence seven times starting in 2013, each time breaching conditions and being recalled. While out on licence, she began a relationship with Gary Nolan and had a daughter. She gave birth to Preston at Wythenshawe Hospital, with his birth certificate listing her address as a mother and baby unit at Styal women's prison. She was released again in March 2024, nine months after Preston's murder.
The Trial and Sentencing
At the trial, Davey wept as her victim impact statement was read. She described Preston as her 'beautiful blue-eyed boy' and expressed her devastation. 'The second he was placed in my arms, I fell completely in love with him,' she said. She addressed his tormentors, stating, 'You have not only taken Preston's life - you have devastated mine and his sister's.'
Preston's father, Gary Nolan, also gave a statement, revealing he never met his son and was traumatized by his death. Preston's grandmother, Debra Davey, 66, said Sarah had a 'gut feeling' about the adoptive parents and objected to the adoption. 'She told social services and the foster parents. But they just took him, she didn't sign anything,' Debra said.
On Thursday, Jamie Varley was sentenced to a whole life order for murder and sexual abuse. Judge Mr Justice Turner stated, 'This is a case of extreme gravity ... you will never be eligible for parole.' His ex-partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, was sentenced to 25 years for sexual assault and allowing Preston's death.
Varley, a former head of year and textiles teacher at Blackpool's South Shore Academy, showed no reaction as the sentence was handed down. McGowan-Fazakerley stared ahead as he was found guilty.
