Jamie Varley, a 37-year-old former head of year and safeguarding lead at a comprehensive school, has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 13-month-old Preston Davey. Varley's partner, 32-year-old sales manager John McGowan-Fazakerley, was found complicit in the infant's death and received a 25-year sentence. Both were convicted by a jury following an eight-week trial.
Prosecutors described the case as one of the "most shocking and horrific" they had encountered. Preston died on July 27, 2023, after Varley sexually assaulted and killed him. McGowan-Fazakerley was at work during the assaults.
A work colleague of Varley's suggested a possible motive, stating that Varley had discovered McGowan-Fazakerley was having an affair. "He'd found out that John had cheated on him and I think he took it out on the baby," the colleague told The Sun. The colleague indicated Varley found messages on McGowan-Fazakerley's phone, suggesting the affair was ongoing and occurred in Manchester, where McGowan-Fazakerley worked.
Preston Davey had been placed in foster care at five days old via an emergency care order from Oldham Council. He was subsequently adopted by Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley at nine months old. The colleague suggested Varley was the primary instigator of the adoption, reportedly selecting Preston because he was the "bonniest boy."
During the sentencing at Preston Crown Court in June, neither defendant showed emotion. Preston's mother, Sarah Davey, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of a pensioner when she was 14, sobbed as she addressed the men, stating, "I will never forgive you." She described her son's death as the end of her world and expressed the "unimaginable pain" of wondering what he endured.
Mr. Justice Mark Turner stated that Preston had suffered "unremitting abuse" and neglect before his death. Addressing Varley, the judge declared, "It was you who did this. You murdered him." He imposed a whole life order, stating it was a sentence of last resort for cases of the most extreme gravity. Varley will never be eligible for parole.
Preston was born in June 2022 while his mother was in and out of prison. His short life was marked by the murders committed by his biological mother and later his adoptive parents. The mother recounted her deep love for Preston, cherishing the first seven months they spent together before he was taken from her care. She expressed her hope that he would be safe and loved, a trust that was "completely and unforgivably broken."
An investigation is underway to determine how the abuse occurred and how social workers failed to protect Preston. The review is expected to consider factors such as political correctness or a reluctance to challenge the couple.
Varley has reportedly attempted to distance himself from his crimes by changing his name to Harry Robb shortly after beginning his life sentence. Reports from HMP Wakefield suggest fellow inmates have placed a bounty on his head, with him described as a "dead man walking."