A 37-year-old teacher, Jamie Varley, has been handed a whole life order for the murder and sexual abuse of his adopted son, Preston Davey. Varley, who maintained in court that Preston had accidentally drowned in the bath, was convicted after an eight-week trial at Preston Crown Court. This severe sentence ensures he will remain in prison for the rest of his life, with no possibility of release except under extraordinary compassionate circumstances.
Varley's partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was also implicated in the horrific abuse and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. McGowan-Fazakerley was found guilty of allowing the death of a child, child cruelty, and sexual abuse. The couple, who resided in Blackpool, Lancashire, presented a seemingly idyllic family life on social media, replete with photos of their immaculate home and successful careers, a facade described by Lancashire Police as a 'veneer' covering a much darker truth.
Preston Davey was born on 16 June 2022 and immediately entered the care system, placed with foster parents at just five days old. His biological mother, Sarah Davey, 42, had a history of imprisonment, including a conviction at 14 for the murder of a pensioner in 1998. Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley adopted Preston when he was nine months old in April 2023, celebrating with a 'Chosen Shower' and decorating their home for their new arrival.
The court heard that Varley, a design and technology teacher who also held a pastoral role as a designated safeguarding lead at South Shore Academy, struggled with the demands of new parenthood. Messages revealed his 'anxiety and maybe a little bit of post adoption depression' shortly after Preston's arrival. However, Detective Chief Inspector Andy Fallows of Lancashire Police emphasised that Varley's struggles went far beyond typical new parent difficulties, culminating in months of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.
The couple, who met in Manchester's Gay Village in late 2018, had always desired to start a family. They began the adoption process in December 2021 and were approved in January 2023, with Varley agreeing to take a year off work to care for Preston. Despite the carefully curated image of a loving home, the reality was one of severe and sustained cruelty, leading to the tragic death of a vulnerable child who was entrusted to their care.
This case highlights a devastating breach of trust by individuals responsible for a child's welfare, underscoring the critical importance of safeguarding measures and the profound difference between public perception and private reality.
Source: Lancashire Police