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A 37-year-old former teacher, Jamie Varley, stands accused of both sexually abusing and causing the death of Preston Davey, an adopted infant. According to the prosecution at Preston Crown Court, Varley admitted to referring to the child as “dead meat” and said he had “murdered” him in the weeks prior to the baby’s death. Varley, alongside his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley, aged 32, took Preston into their care in April 2023. The court heard disturbing allegations that during the nearly four months following the adoption, Preston endured ongoing mistreatment and suffered approximately 40 traumatic injuries at their home in Blackpool.
Preston was hospitalized on multiple occasions after being adopted, including for a fractured left elbow. Tragically, on 27 July 2023, he was admitted unconscious and in cardiac arrest, and despite medical efforts, he could not be saved. Varley told police that the baby had been left briefly unattended in the bath, during which time Preston began to drown. A post-mortem examination revealed numerous non-accidental injuries, both internal and external. The cause of death was concluded to be acute upper airways obstruction, caused either by smothering or by an object inserted into Preston’s mouth. Varley denies charges of murder, manslaughter, multiple assaults including sexual offences, cruelty, and distribution of indecent images, while McGowan-Fazakerley denies charges including allowing the child’s death and other offences.
The home life of Preston before adoption painted a very different picture. Foster carer Sandra Cooper cared for Preston for ten months following his birth in June 2022 after the infant entered care under Oldham Council at just five days old. Cooper described Preston as a “very happy baby” who, although not a good sleeper, could be soothed easily. After identifying and managing his dairy intolerance by changing his milk, she said Preston was “happy and content” and “a perfectly healthy baby.” Preston was handed to the defendants at the end of March 2023, but his wellbeing rapidly deteriorated in the following months.
During the adoption process, Varley openly expressed struggles with Preston’s persistent crying and difficulty sleeping. Within days of bringing Preston home, Varley sent a series of texts revealing his frustration and exhaustion. He referred to the baby as “dead meat,” admitted sleep deprivation from the child waking every one and a half hours, and used phrases like “this was before he was murdered and put to bed.” Despite moments where he described Preston as a “ray of sunshine,” Varley conveyed ongoing distress and questioning of every decision concerning the baby’s care. Meanwhile, McGowan-Fazakerley also faces serious allegations related to his role in Preston’s death and abuse. The trial continues as the court examines the evidence surrounding the tragic case
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