Adoptive Parents Convicted in the Death of 13-Month-Old Preston Davey
Jamie Varley and his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley have been convicted of murder and child abuse following the death of their adopted son, Preston Davey, in July 2023.
In a tragic case that has drawn widespread attention, Jamie Varley, who adopted his son Preston Davey, was found guilty of murder following the child's death on July 27, 2023. Varley, 37, had initially claimed that Preston drowned in the bath, but the truth was far more harrowing, involving months of sexual and physical abuse.
During the trial at Preston Crown Court, which lasted for eight weeks, Varley was also convicted of multiple other offenses, including sexual assault and taking indecent images of the child he was supposed to protect. His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was found guilty of allowing the death of a child, child cruelty, and sexual abuse.
The case came to light when Varley brought Preston to Blackpool Victoria Hospital, claiming he had left the child in the bath for a brief moment. As he pleaded with medical staff to save his son's life, he stated, 'It's my fault – I left him for literally two minutes while I went and got changed.' However, this was just the beginning of a series of lies that Varley would tell.
Detective Chief Inspector Andy Fallows, who led the investigation, described Varley's behavior in the hospital as almost theatrical. Fallows noted the stark contrast between Varley's emotional display at the hospital and his demeanor during police interviews, where he appeared obstructive and inconsistent.
The investigation revealed that Preston had been in care since he was five days old and was adopted by Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley in April 2023. After moving into their home in Blackpool, he suffered numerous non-accidental injuries, including bruising, seizures, and respiratory failures, raising alarms about his treatment.
Upon his arrival at the hospital, Preston was pronounced dead after medical staff were unable to revive him. A post-mortem examination uncovered 40 external and internal injuries, some consistent with sexual abuse, and ruled out drowning as the cause of death. Fallows expressed skepticism about Varley's account of the bath incident, stating, 'There was no evidence of drowning, no evidence in the autopsy that Preston had swallowed water.'
The trial also revealed instances of psychological and emotional abuse inflicted on Preston. Fallows described disturbing behaviors, such as keeping a tired child awake for entertainment and filming Preston while leaving him unattended in the bath for extended periods. He characterized Varley's actions as treating Preston 'as a plaything, as his property,' subjecting him to what Fallows termed a 'reign of terror.'
While McGowan-Fazakerley was at work on the day of Preston's death, Fallows criticized him for adopting a 'hear no evil, see no evil' approach. Evidence indicated that he was aware of Preston's injuries, including a fracture and bite marks, yet failed to act appropriately.
Prior to his death, Preston had been hospitalized three times in a short span, raising concerns among social workers who visited the family. Despite these visits, they did not perceive him to be in danger. Fallows remarked, 'Here and now, it should be about Preston Davey,' emphasizing the need for accountability in the system that allowed this tragedy to occur.
The investigation did not uncover any prior evidence of sexual interest in children by either Varley or McGowan-Fazakerley. Fallows noted that both men had been presented as upstanding individuals prior to adopting Preston, although the reality was starkly different. He stated, 'Did Jamie Varley source a child in order to sexually abuse and murder? That isn't the evidence in the case.'
The case has raised significant questions about the child protection system and the responsibilities of agencies involved in the welfare of vulnerable children. As the investigation continues, many are left wondering how such a tragedy could have been prevented.
