The home purchased by former teacher Jamie Varley and his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley, who were convicted of the murder and abuse of their adopted baby son Preston Davey, has been listed for sale with an £80,000 reduction in its asking price. The property in the village of Grimsargh, Preston, was initially bought for £450,000 in 2023 and is now listed at £370,000.
Varley, a secondary school teacher, received a whole life order sentence, while McGowan-Fazakerley, a sales manager, was jailed for 25 years. Both men were convicted of inflicting severe physical, sexual, and emotional abuse on 13-month-old Preston, who died on July 27, 2023. Despite being arrested in June 2023 in connection with the child's death, the couple purchased the newbuild home just three weeks later.
Estate agents selling the property have included a notice stating that the vendor is serving a custodial sentence for offenses involving minors, and that these offenses were not committed at the property. Prospective buyers are advised to conduct their own inquiries. The listing describes the detached, five-bedroom residence as an immaculate property in a sought-after location with a garden, double garage, and CCTV system.
During the trial, prosecutors described the abuse as a "litany of psychological and sexual ill-treatment." Preston had been taken to hospital multiple times prior to his death, including for breathing difficulties, unexplained bruising, and a broken elbow. Medical examinations revealed that Preston had suffered 40 traumatic injuries. Varley initially claimed Preston had drowned in a bath, but a post-mortem examination contradicted this.
The court heard that Varley may have sexually assaulted Preston twice on the day he died, leading to suffocation and a seizure. Evidence presented indicated that Preston had been in good health earlier that day. CCTV footage showed a paramedic carrying Preston into the hospital, followed by Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley.
Preston's mother, Sarah Davey, was serving a prison sentence for murder when he was conceived and had little option but to place him for adoption. His maternal grandmother, Debbie Davey, has called for an investigation into the social services involved in placing Preston with Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley, suggesting that homophobia concerns might have influenced decisions.
Varley grew up in a council estate in Newark, while McGowan-Fazakerley had a more middle-class upbringing and pursued higher education, earning degrees in history and politics. The couple met in Manchester in late 2018 and subsequently moved in together. They progressed in their careers and purchased a home before deciding to adopt. Adoption proceedings involved rigorous checks, including home visits and background evaluations. The couple were approved as adoptive parents and matched with Preston, who spent his first night with them in March 2023.