Preston Davey's evil adoptive parents, Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazakerley, are now serving prison sentences for the horrific abuse and murder of the 13-month-old toddler. An ex-convict warns that the pair are 'totally naive' to the horrors awaiting them behind bars.
Life Behind Bars for Child Killers
Jamie Varley, handed a whole life order, and John McGowan-Fazakerley, sentenced to 25 years, will face a harsh reality in prison. Steve Gallant, a former inmate who spent 16 years in prison, explains that sex offenders and child killers are at the bottom of the prison hierarchy.
'The gangster or the armed robber is at the top of that hierarchy, but the sex offender, or somebody who might be called a 'grass', will be at the bottom of the pile and they'll be treated badly throughout the system,' Gallant said.
Vulnerable Prisoner Units
Due to the nature of their crimes, Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley are likely to be housed in vulnerable prisoner (VP) units within Category A prisons. However, even within these units, they are not safe from attacks. 'There's still a hierarchy that exists there,' Gallant warns. 'Ian Huntley was on a similar unit in Frankland. Even in those environments, they're not safe.'
Risk of Violence and Attacks
Prisons are violent places, with improvised weapons like homemade shivs and hot oil used in attacks. 'Everyone has a kettle in their cell,' Gallant explains. 'You get that thrown on you and would get scarred quite badly.' He also describes 'gheeing someone up' where inmates throw hot oil on others.
Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley will be ostracized and vulnerable. 'No one's going to support them,' Gallant says. 'These wings are full of people with very predatorial tendencies - if they see weakness, they'll go for it.'
No Remorse Shown
The pair showed no remorse in court, and Gallant believes they are naive to what awaits them. 'Neither of them have got previous convictions, which means they are utterly naive to what they can expect to happen.'
Investigation and Safeguarding Review
Detective Chief Inspector Andy Fallows described Varley as 'an evil and monstrous individual'. A Child Safeguarding Practice Review will investigate potential missed opportunities to save Preston's life. The NSPCC urges anyone with concerns about a child's welfare to call 0808 8005000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk.
