STAINING — A judge at Preston Crown Court imposed a whole life order on Jamie Varley after he was convicted of sexually abusing and murdering 13-month-old Preston Davey. Mr Justice Turner delivered the sentence, which requires Varley to remain in prison without parole eligibility.

John McGowan-Fazakerley received a 25-year prison sentence after being convicted of sexual abuse, child cruelty, and allowing the death of a child. Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley pleaded not guilty to all charges. The child resided with the couple in Staining, near Blackpool, and Preston Davey died at the age of 13 months.

Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley brought an unresponsive Preston Davey to a hospital on 27 July 2023. Medical staff attempted to resuscitate the baby for 50 minutes. Court heard that the baby sustained 40 traumatic injuries, and a pathologist determined the cause of death was acute upper airways obstruction from smothering or object insertion.

Varley claimed he left the baby in a bath and returned to find him submerged, but medical evidence showed the baby did not swallow water. Police recovered photographs and video recordings from Varley's mobile phone during the investigation. The couple transported Preston to a medical facility three times prior to his death. One hospital visit involved treatment for a fractured arm.

Preston Davey was removed from his biological mother, Sarah Davey, and placed with foster caregivers five days after birth. An adoption agency placed Preston with Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley when he was nine months old. Sarah Davey said, "He was defenceless. He relied entirely on you, the adults responsible for him, to love him, care for him, and keep him safe. Instead, you caused him suffering."

Varley is 37 years old and worked as a secondary school teacher, held the position of head of year at a secondary school in Blackpool. McGowan-Fazakerley is 32 years old. Oldham council initiated a child safeguarding practice review after the death, which was paused during criminal proceedings and has restarted.