Warning: This article contains distressing information.
A teacher who adopted a 13-month-old boy and subjected him to sustained abuse has been given a whole life prison order. Jamie Varley, 37, was convicted of murdering Preston Davey, who died in July 2023 after four months in the care of Varley and his partner, John McGowan‑Fazakerley, 32.
Varley told police Preston had accidentally drowned in a bath, but a post‑mortem found 40 separate injuries, both external and internal. Some wounds were described as consistent with forcible penetration and sexual abuse. Medics ruled out drowning as the cause of death.
Varley was sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison with a whole life order, meaning he will not be eligible for parole except in exceptional compassionate circumstances. McGowan‑Fazakerley was found guilty of sexual assault, child cruelty and allowing the death of a child and was sentenced to 25 years.
Judge Mr Justice Turner said Preston had suffered ‘unremitting abuse’ and made clear that this was a case of the most extreme gravity. The eight‑week trial at Preston Crown Court heard how Preston, born June 2022, had been taken into care at five days old and lived with foster parents for the first nine months of his life.
Varley and McGowan‑Fazakerley were approved for adoption in January 2023 and Preston moved into their Blackpool home in April 2023. Over the next four months he was repeatedly ill‑treated, developing clusters of non‑accidental injuries including bruising, seizures and respiratory failures. He was taken to hospital on three occasions before the final admission: for a nosebleed and seizure, for a rash and bruising, and with a fractured left elbow.
Social workers who visited the home did not perceive Preston to be in immediate danger. On 27 July Varley rushed Preston to Blackpool Victoria Hospital and claimed the child had been left in the bath for two or three minutes and found submerged. Staff found Preston dry and there was no evidence he had inhaled water. Ninety minutes earlier Varley recorded a video showing the child in extreme distress and taking agonal breaths.
Preston’s biological mother, Sarah Davey, and other family members attended the hearing. A victim impact statement read on Sarah’s behalf described the enduring pain of knowing what her son endured in his final months and said she would never forgive those responsible. Preston’s foster parents also gave statements describing him as joyful and content while in their care.
The case prompted officials to pause and then relaunch a child safeguarding practice review. The Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing has instructed independent experts to examine the handling of the case by Oldham Council, the local hospital trust and the adoption agency. Lancashire Police said their investigation found no evidence the men had a sexual interest in children prior to adoption. Regional and local agencies involved have said an independent review is ongoing and expressed condolences to Preston’s family and others affected.
