The twisted life of teacher who killed his adopted son
The Twisted Life of Teacher Who Killed His Adopted Son
A Family's Perfect Facade
The twisted life of teacher who killed - Jamie Varley and his partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, crafted an image of familial harmony on social media after adopting Preston Davey. Photos showcased their tidy home, Varley’s thriving teaching career, and their affection for their miniature pincher dog, Maximus. Yet, beneath the surface, Preston endured relentless abuse. The 37-year-old teacher was convicted of murdering the child and sexually abusing him, receiving a whole life prison sentence. This means he will remain incarcerated indefinitely, barring extraordinary circumstances.
"They've tried to present as the perfect family, living in the perfect home, having the perfect lives," said Det Ch Insp Andy Fallows, the senior investigating officer. "Instagram ready, aren’t they?"
A Life of Struggles and Secrets
Varley, who once described himself as a "Drama Queen," and McGowan-Fazakerley, known as the "Steady Eddie," met in Manchester’s Gay Village in late 2018. They vowed to build a family, which they did by adopting Preston at nine months old in April 2023. The adoption process began in December 2021 and was finalized in January 2023. At the time, Varley planned to take a year off work to care for the child.
Preston’s mother, Sarah Davey, had a history of criminal behavior. At just 14, she was jailed for the murder of a frail pensioner in 1998 and has since cycled through prison terms. After Preston’s birth on 16 June 2022, he was placed with foster parents just five days later. His new family, however, quickly became his tormentors.
The Abuse and the Evidence
Months before his death, Preston faced repeated medical issues. He was hospitalized three times: once for a nose bleed and seizure, again for a rash and bruising, and thirdly for a fractured left elbow. By July, the boy was admitted to Blackpool Victoria Hospital for the final time. Varley claimed he had left Preston unattended in the bath for two to three minutes, only to find him submerged and motionless. The child’s body was dry, but the absence of evidence for accidental drowning hinted at a darker truth.
"Everything's on social media, everything is brilliant, and I think if you scrape away the veneer of that you come to something that is entirely different," Fallows noted. "There were clearly arguments, bickering, and issues about long hours at work."
A Parent’s Struggle and the Breaking Point
Messages shared with the jury revealed Varley’s internal conflict as a new parent. On 17 April 2023, he admitted to being "exhausted" and struggling with sleep due to Preston’s frequent waking. "He wakes up almost every two hours and has a screaming paddy which takes almost an hour to get him back to sleep xx," he wrote. Later, he confessed to "anxiety and maybe a little bit of post adoption depression," dismissing concerns as unfounded.
Despite his struggles, Fallows emphasized that Varley’s behavior transcended typical parental challenges. "The picture they tried to present to the outside world was one of respectability," he stated. "The truth is far more sinister and darker than that." The couple’s home, once a symbol of stability, became a site of relentless harm.
A Shocking Revelation
Before his death, Preston suffered non-accidental "cluster" injuries, including bruising, seizures, and respiratory failures. Medical records showed abnormalities in his anatomy, suggesting repeated trauma. McGowan-Fazakerley, who was also convicted of child cruelty and allowing Preston’s death, received a 25-year sentence. Together, the couple’s actions shattered the illusion of a perfect family, exposing a horrifying reality of control and violence.