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At Preston Crown Court, the distressing case involving Jamie Varley, a 37-year-old teacher, is unfolding. Varley has been charged with sexually abusing and murdering baby Preston Davey, whom he and his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley adopted. During proceedings, jurors were shown police body camera footage capturing Varley cradling the lifeless 13-month-old child in a hospital bereavement room. Overcome with grief, Varley uttered, “I’m going to hell,” while visibly blaming himself for Preston’s death. The prosecution highlighted that his explanation of leaving the child in the bath was inconsistent with post-mortem findings revealing 40 injuries on Preston’s body.
The court heard that Varley was a high school teacher who had taken a year’s leave from his role at South Shore Academy to care for the baby full time. Preston had been placed with the couple on 1 April 2023 after spending the first months of his life in foster care following his birth on 16 June 2022. Throughout the four months in their custody, prosecutors claim the child suffered repeated physical and sexual abuse and was subjected to the creation of indecent images and videos. McGowan-Fazakerley, aged 32, is also facing charges, including allowing Preston’s death, with both men denying all allegations.
On 27 July 2023, the defendants rushed Preston to Blackpool Victoria Hospital after an alleged sexual assault by Varley. Despite nearly an hour of resuscitation efforts, the baby was pronounced dead at 19:20 BST. Video evidence captured Varley’s distraught state as he collapsed in the hospital and later paced outside, refusing to accept the reality of the loss. He expressed anguish, repeatedly blaming himself for leaving Preston unattended for a short time and asked not to see the child, now renamed Elijah by the couple. Inside the bereavement room, Varley was supported by McGowan-Fazakerley and his mother, Karen Graham, while struggling with the devastating situation.
The footage shown to the jury depicted moments of profound grief and denial. At one point, Varley spoke of the child’s need to “be warm” and pleaded for him to wake. Later, while holding Preston, he said, “I probably won’t see you again. I’m definitely going to hell,” as his partner tried to console him. The trial continues as Varley faces numerous charges, including murder, manslaughter, multiple counts of child cruelty, sexual assault, and making and distributing indecent images. McGowan-Fazakerley denies charges related to allowing Preston’s death, child cruelty, and sexual assault. The case starkly highlights the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of an infant in foster care
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