A man whose partner is accused of murdering and sexually abusing their adopted baby son has told a jury that his trust in him was 'misplaced'. John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, is alleged to have caused or allowed the death of 13-month-old Preston Davey, along with child cruelty and a sexual assault. His partner, high school teacher Jamie Varley, 37, is accused of murder as well as multiple offences of cruelty and child sexual abuse. Both men deny sexual interest in the baby and have pleaded not guilty to all charges at Preston Crown Court.
Background of the case
Preston, described as a 'sweet and bubbly' baby, was adopted by the couple in April 2023. During the four months Preston was living at their Blackpool home before he was rushed to hospital on July 27, it is alleged he was routinely ill-treated, had indecent images and videos taken of him, and was sexually abused and physically assaulted.
McGowan-Fazakerley's testimony
Sales manager McGowan-Fazakerley told the jury he had no reason to believe Varley had harmed Preston and initially thought the child had drowned after Varley told him en route to hospital that he had left him alone in the bath. He said he still believed his death was accidental as the couple continued to live together until they were re-arrested in 2025 and then both charged. While on remand in prison, he said he began to 'try to put the puzzle together' as he learned what the prosecution case would be.
His barrister, Anne Whyte KC, asked: 'Prior to standing trial at this building last month, had you reached a stage where you truly felt you understood what happened to Preston that day?' McGowan-Fazakerley replied: 'No, no. I don't think I fully understood why he is not here.'
Ms Whyte continued: 'At the point of being charged were you still depending on what Mr Varley told you about the day?' He replied: 'Yes.' She asked: 'While on remand were you still depending on what Mr Varley told you about the day?' He repeated: 'Yes.'
Ms Whyte said: 'Now, do you feel that you understand what happened?' Pausing to answer, the defendant said: 'I feel I am starting to understand more about what's happened. I'm starting to look at the sequence of events and what's been said, and to start forming that together.'
Ms Whyte asked: 'Where you are now, do you feel as if your trust in Mr Varley was misplaced?' McGowan-Fazakerley said: 'Yes I do feel like my trust in Jamie has been misplaced.'
Key evidence
Varley has denied fabricating the 'bath incident' after a post-mortem examination ruled out drowning as the cause of death and instead discovered Preston had suffered 40 traumatic injuries. McGowan-Fazakerley told the court Varley never told him about a video recording he took of Preston on the afternoon of July 27 – while he was at work – over concerns the child had a seizure.
Ms Whyte asked: 'When did you first see that video?' McGowan-Fazakerley said: 'Police interview.' She asked: 'What do you make of that?' The defendant replied: 'I feel like he has hidden that from me. I don't understand why. I can recall every aspect of that day from the moment I opened my eyes until I went to sleep. The days, weeks and months afterwards, all I have done is replay that day over and over and over again. You would not forget you made that video. I would not forget if I had made that video, and I don't know why he didn't tell me.'
He confirmed Varley was now his ex-partner.
Charges
Varley denies murder, manslaughter, two counts of assault by penetration, five counts of cruelty to a child, grievous bodily harm, sexual assault of a child, 13 counts of taking indecent photos or videos of a child, one of distributing an indecent photo of a child to his co-accused, and one of making an indecent photo. McGowan-Fazakerley denies allowing the death of a child, three counts of child cruelty and one count of the sexual assault of a child.
