A high school teacher vomited in the dock at Preston Crown Court after being found guilty of the sexual abuse and murder of a 13-month-old baby he was in the process of adopting. Jamie Varley, 37, was convicted following a seven-week trial into the death of Preston Davey, who died in July 2023.
Convictions and Sentencing
Varley was found guilty of murder, two counts of assault by penetration, five counts of child cruelty, grievous bodily harm, sexual assault of a child, and multiple charges related to indecent images. His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was found guilty of sexual assault, child cruelty, and allowing the death of a child.
The Abuse
The court heard that during the four months Preston was in their care, he was routinely ill-treated, sexually abused, and physically assaulted, suffering dozens of injuries. In April 2023, Varley texted his sister, a baby sleep trainer, saying: "He's dead meat today. Didn't sleep last night after 23:30 BST. Up every one and a half hours."
On July 27, 2023, Preston was rushed to Blackpool Victoria Hospital in a critical condition after Varley claimed he found the child submerged in the bath. Despite 50 minutes of resuscitation, Preston was pronounced dead. An autopsy revealed about 40 external and internal injuries, including bruises and signs of sexual abuse.
Prosecutor's Statement
Prosecutor Peter Wright KC said: "Preston’s death was a tragedy waiting to happen. Mr McGowan-Fazakerley knew that but chose to ignore it." Karen Tonge of the CPS added: "It is difficult to comprehend how the very people who should have loved him could inflict such sickening physical and sexual harm on an innocent child."
Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley are to be sentenced on June 18.
