Teacher who murdered adopted baby son Preston Davey given whole life prison sentence
BBC News 2026-06-18 13:45:19
Context: Jamie Varley, a 37-year-old teacher from Blackpool, was sentenced to a whole life order in prison for the murder and abuse of his 13-month-old adopted son, Preston Davey. Preston suffered from physical, sexual, and emotional abuse during the four months he lived with Varley and his partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, before his death in July 2023. The case has sparked widespread outrage, with authorities launching an independent review of the child's safeguarding.
Key Facts
- Preston Davey, a 13-month-old baby boy, died in July 2023 at the hands of his adoptive father, Jamie Varley, who subjected the child to physical, sexual, and emotional abuse during the final four months of his life.
- Varley, 37, was found guilty of murdering Preston, who suffered 40 traumatic injuries, including evidence of "forcible penetration" and sexual abuse, with a post-mortem examination ruling out drowning as the cause of death.
- Varley's partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for his role in the abuse and death of Preston, having been found guilty of sexual assault, child cruelty, and allowing the death of a child.
- A video recorded by Varley 90 minutes before Preston's death showed the child in extreme distress, hardly breathing and taking "agonal breaths", with Varley having told medical staff that Preston had accidentally drowned in a bath.