A former teacher who murdered baby Preston Davey – and the partner who joined in with his horrific abuse – are being sentenced today. Jamie Varley, 37, was convicted of murdering the 13-month-old during a sexual assault on July 27, 2023. His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, will also be jailed for his role in Preston’s death, as well as a joint sex attack on the helpless child four days earlier. Preston was born to convicted killer Sarah Davey. Five days after he was born, the
5lb 7oz toddler was taken into the care of Oldham council and, at nine months old, was handed over to Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley, who had been approved to adopt a child. The baby was subjected to ever increasing physical, sexual and emotional abuse at the hands of teacher Varley in the months that followed. McGowan-Fazakerley turned a blind eye to the escalating abuse and on July 23 took part in a joint attack on Preston, as he slumped helplessly over the bars of his cot.
On July 27, Preston was carried into Blackpool Victoria Hospital in cardiac arrest and pronounced dead at 7.18pm. This week, Varley was found guilty of murder; GBH; sexual assault; cruelty; and making, taking and distributing indecent images of Preston. McGowan-Fazakerley was convicted of causing or allowing Preston’s death; cruelty; and sexual assault. High Court judge Mr Justice Turner will set a minimum tariff which Varley must serve before he is eligible to apply for parole. He will be sentenced to life. The judge will also
determine how long McGowan-Fazakerley will spend behind bars.
Preston Davey, Jamie Varley, John McGowan-Fazakerley, Oldham council, sentencing, murder conviction, sexual assault, child abuse, Blackpool Victoria Hospital
They should never let those people near kids again.
Wait so the baby was in council care and then “approved to adopt”?? How does that even happen like are they just trusting anyone with background checks or what. Sick stuff.
Oldham council really failed here, but I don’t get why the sentencing is “minimum tariff” like that sounds soft? If he’s convicted of murder just lock him up till he dies.
I read “teacher Varley” and immediately thought school board stuff, like maybe he was gonna teach somewhere else after this? And then it says hospital cardiac arrest—so did the baby stop breathing from the images stuff or like the beating? Either way, horrifying.