Teacher Convicted of Sexually Abusing and Killing Adopted Infant
Teacher guilty of sexually abusing and murdering – A 37-year-old teacher, Jamie Varley, has been convicted of sexually abusing and murdering the 13-month-old boy he adopted with his partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley. The toddler, Preston Davey, died in July 2023, following a year-long adoption process. Varley, from Blackpool, initially told police Preston had drowned in a bath, but a post-mortem examination revealed 40 traumatic injuries.
Preston, born in June 2022, was placed in care by Oldham Council after his mother, Sarah Davey, then 42, was jailed at 14 for killing a frail pensioner in 1998. She has since been in and out of prison. The couple adopted Preston in April 2023 when he was nine months old, but within four months of living with them, he endured sexual abuse, physical assaults, and neglect. Social workers and medical staff noted suspicious bruises before his death, though these were dismissed as non-threatening.
Varley’s partner, McGowan-Fazakerley, was found guilty of sexual assault, child cruelty, and allowing Preston’s death. The pair will face sentencing on Thursday. During the trial at Preston Crown Court, Preston’s mother and grandmother were seen crying as the jury returned 29 guilty verdicts. The court heard that the child had also been photographed inappropriately, with indecent images and videos taken of him during his short life.
Medical Findings and Final Moments
On the day of Preston’s death, Varley claimed he left the child unattended in the bath for a few minutes before finding him submerged. However, the trial revealed Preston’s hair was dry, he had a nappy on, and no water was in his stomach, contradicting the drowning theory. A Home Office post-mortem confirmed the cause of death was acute airway blockage from objects in his mouth, not drowning.
“The death of any child is a tragedy, but this is a particularly heart-wrenching and disturbing case,” said a spokesperson for Oldham Council. “We are thankful the perpetrators of the sickening murder and abuse have been convicted.”
Regional adoption agency Adoption Now called the case “deeply upsetting,” emphasizing its rigorous process for approving adopters. An independent Child Safeguarding Practice Review is underway to assess how Preston’s safety was managed. The court’s verdict has left his family and loved ones in mourning, as the child’s life was described as “a harrowing tale of misery and pain” by Det Ch Insp Andy Fallows.
