Jamie Varley, the father convicted of the sexual abuse and murder of 13-month-old Preston Davey, is expected to face brutal retribution behind bars. Prison insiders have warned that it is a matter of 'when, not if' he is attacked, with inmates already lining up to deliver punishment for his heinous crimes.
Conviction and Sentencing
Varley, 37, was found guilty at Preston Crown Court of murder, two counts of assault by penetration, six counts of child cruelty, grievous bodily harm, sexual assault, 13 counts of taking indecent photographs, making an indecent photograph, and distributing an indecent photograph. His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was also convicted of allowing the death of a child, child cruelty, and sexual assault.
As the verdict was read out, Varley was sick in the dock. However, prison sources indicate that worse is yet to come for him.
The Victim: Baby Preston
Little Preston was placed with the couple for adoption. Just four months later, the 13-month-old was rushed to Blackpool Victoria Hospital unconscious and suffering from cardiac arrest. Varley attempted to lie in court, claiming Preston had accidentally drowned in a bath. However, prosecutors successfully demonstrated that his injuries were consistent with his airways being blocked.
Evidence revealed that in the final months of Preston's life, he was regularly mistreated, sexually abused, and physically attacked – enduring more than 40 separate injuries. These included bruising to his mouth, throat, bowel, and bladder, along with a healing fracture to his left arm, deemed non-accidental.
Prison Threats
An insider told the Daily Star: 'The crime is one for the ages. This is one of those heinous cases we will come back to, and what that little boy went through is simply unimaginable.'
'We all know that child abusers do not do well in prison, but the evidence in this case is so awful. There will be a price on both of their heads as soon as they step into prison life. Everyone is going to want to be the one to take these out, particularly Varley.'
It is thought that the pair will be split up, with Varley most likely headed to HMP Wakefield. The notorious prison – dubbed 'Monster Mansion' – has housed some of the UK's most appalling criminals, including serial killer GP Harold Shipman, Charles Bronson, and paedophile singer Ian Watkins. It is known as one of the country's most brutal Category A lock-ups, with violence commonplace inside its razor-wire-topped walls.
The insider added: 'There will already be prison bosses working out where these two will be going, and how they can keep them safe. This case is so high profile, everyone will know who he is. Varley is a marked man but the prison service has a duty of care, and that is what they will be working out right now.'
'There is a special sex offenders section for high profile child abuse cases, and it is likely he will be put in alongside others who have been found guilty of similar child crimes. Varley will likely have 24-hour round-the-clock watching at first, as he acclimatises, to make sure he is not a danger to himself and will spend a lot of his time in solitary.'
'At the start he will be flanked by guards constantly, but there will come a time when he is integrated a bit more, and it is then people will look to strike. It is not a case of if, but when. A prisoner who has done the things he has done to a child will not be given an easy ride. People will be out to get him. He is essentially Britain's most hated man now. If someone manages to get to him, they will be treated as prison king.'
Reaction from Authorities
Even hardened police and prosecutors reportedly found this case among the most harrowing of their careers due to the shocking level of depravity towards a tiny tot. Karen Tonge of the Crown Prosecution Service said: 'This has been one of the most shocking and horrific cases I have dealt with in my career.'
'Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazakerley had a responsibility to care for and protect baby Preston. They violated that responsibility and 13-month-old Preston was abused with sickening ease. It is difficult to comprehend how the very people who should have loved him could inflict such awful physical and sexual harm on an innocent child.'
'No child should have to go through what Preston went through in the last four months of his short life and I cannot begin to imagine the toll this has taken on those that loved Preston. My thoughts remain with them all.'
