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Trial hears former teacher had dark thoughts about abused baby before death
Jamie Varley, a former high school teacher, and his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley are on trial for the alleged murder and abuse of Preston Davey, a 13-month-old adopted child. The prosecution details include the child being ill-treated, photographed indecently, and subjected to sexual and physical abuse during the four months in their care, with a death on July 27, 2023 and recorded evidence of Varley’s mental state and later explanations.
Why It Matters
The case raises questions about safeguarding in foster/adoptive arrangements, signs of abuse, and the responsibilities of guardians and social services in monitoring at-risk children.
Timeline
9 Events
Trial details reported in media
April 21, 2026
The article reports, on the trial's second day, that prosecutor Peter Wright described Varley's 'dark thoughts' and the defendants' sexual interest in the child.
Post-mortem findings
July 27, 2023
The post-mortem concluded the cause of death as acute upper airway obstruction, likely from smothering or insertion of an object into the mouth; multiple injuries were found and natural disease or drowning were ruled out.
Varley's account of drowning in bath chair
July 27, 2023
Varley claimed he had placed the child in a baby chair in the bath and left him for about four minutes; upon return the child was drowning, a description later treated as a cover-up.
Taken to hospital after collapse
July 27, 2023
Less than two hours later, the defendants brought Preston to the Accident and Emergency Department of Blackpool Victoria Hospital; he was unconscious and in cardiac arrest and could not be revived.
Video recorded on day of death
July 27, 2023
On the day of the death, Varley recorded a video of Preston on his phone; the child appears to have collapsed and was not breathing.
Dark thoughts revealed to a work colleague
June 27, 2023
A month before Preston's death, Varley told a work colleague he had 'dark thoughts' towards the child (renamed Elijah) and thoughts of drowning or suffocating him, disclosed as part of welfare checks during the adoption.
First of three hospital admissions
April 2023
Preston was admitted to hospital with injuries three times in just under four months after adoption.
Placed for adoption by defendants
April 2023
Preston, aged nine months, was placed with Jamie Varley and his partner for adoption after being taken into care by Oldham Council; the couple were approved to adopt.
Preston Davey is born
June 16, 2022
Preston Davey, who would later be at the center of the case, was born on 16 June 2022.