Teacher Guilty of Sexually Abusing and Murdering Adopted Baby

Teacher guilty of sexually abusing and murdering – A 37-year-old teacher, Jamie Varley, has been convicted of sexually abusing and murdering the 13-month-old baby boy he adopted with his partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley. Preston Davey, the victim, died in July 2023 under the care of the couple, who had taken a year off work to adopt him. During the trial at Preston Crown Court, Varley initially told authorities that Preston had drowned accidentally in a bath, but evidence revealed a different story. A post-mortem examination uncovered 40 severe injuries, leading to the conviction of both men for their roles in the child’s tragic death.

Timeline of the Adoption and Abuse

Preston was born in June 2022 and placed into care by Oldham Council after his mother, Sarah Davey, was unable to provide a stable environment. The council had already been monitoring the family’s circumstances, as Sarah, now 42, had a history of imprisonment since she was 14. She was jailed in 1998 for the murder of a frail pensioner and has since oscillated between prison and freedom. Preston was eventually adopted by Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley, a financial sales manager, in April 2023. At the time, the child was nine months old and had been living with the couple for just under four months before his death.

The trial heard that during this period, Preston endured a series of physical and sexual abuses. Medical staff noted suspicious bruises during three separate visits to Blackpool Victoria Hospital in the months prior to his death, but these were dismissed as minor incidents. Social workers also observed the child’s condition, yet no immediate action was taken to address the concerns. On July 27, Varley rushed Preston to the hospital after finding him unresponsive. He claimed the child had been left in the bath for a couple of minutes before collapsing, but the absence of wet hair, a dry nappy, and no signs of water in his lungs cast doubt on this account.

Guilty Verdicts and Charges

The jury returned 29 guilty verdicts after deliberating for about 14 hours. Varley was found responsible for murder, two counts of sexual assault, five instances of child cruelty, and grievous bodily harm. Additionally, he faced charges of taking 13 indecent photos of a child, distributing one of them, and making an indecent image. McGowan-Fazakerley was convicted of allowing Preston’s death, two counts of child cruelty, and one sexual assault charge. Both men will be sentenced on Thursday, with their actions described as a systematic pattern of abuse and neglect.

During the court proceedings, Preston’s mother and grandmother were visibly emotional, their sobs echoing through the courtroom as the verdicts were announced. Varley, who stood in the dock, appeared shaken as the guilty verdicts were read out. He put his hands to his face, then collapsed to his knees, vomiting and wretching. McGowan-Fazakerley remained composed, though his father, seated in the gallery, shook his head in disbelief. The prosecution highlighted the severity of the case, with Karen Tonge from the Crown Prosecution Service calling it one of the most shocking and horrifying cases she had encountered in her career.

Child Safeguarding and Institutional Response

Oldham Council expressed deep sorrow over the case, stating that the death of any child is a tragedy, but this particular incident was especially heart-wrenching. A spokesperson noted that the council is grateful the perpetrators have been convicted and emphasized the importance of ongoing investigations into how the child’s safety was managed. An independent Child Safeguarding Practice Review is currently underway to examine the processes that led to Preston’s adoption by Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley. The review will assess whether the couple’s approval for adoption was thorough enough to prevent the abuse.

Regional adoption agency Adoption Now also commented on the case, describing it as deeply upsetting. The agency assured that its adoption process is rigorous, with strict assessments of potential adopters. However, the incident has raised questions about the effectiveness of these checks. The agency confirmed that the Child Safeguarding Practice Review is being completed, aiming to provide clarity on the decisions made regarding Preston’s placement. Despite the agency’s efforts, the case has left many in the community reeling, with the public condemning the couple’s actions as a profound violation of trust.

The Nature of the Abuse

The trial revealed that Preston’s abuse was not a singular event but a continuous cycle of mistreatment. Over the four months he lived with Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley, the child was subjected to physical assaults, sexual abuse, and psychological harm. The prosecution argued that the pair’s actions transformed a happy and healthy infant into a “broken shell” by the end of his short life. Det Ch Insp Andy Fallows, who described the case as “pure evil,” emphasized how the couple’s behavior began almost immediately after they took Preston into their home. He stated that the child’s death was the result of their “sordid and wicked acts,” which included inserting objects into his mouth to cause acute upper airways obstruction, the official cause of death.

The case has sparked a broader discussion about child safeguarding practices and the responsibilities of adoptive parents. While Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley had been approved for adoption, the evidence suggests their approval may have overlooked critical red flags. The medical findings, which ruled out drowning as the cause of death, have been pivotal in establishing the intentional nature of the harm inflicted on Preston. His mother, Sarah Davey, had been in and out of prison for years, but the abuse she inflicted on her son was different in scale and cruelty. The tragedy has left the family and loved ones in mourning, with the courtroom scenes capturing the emotional toll of the case.

Public Reaction and Aftermath

As the verdicts were delivered, the courtroom atmosphere was heavy with emotion. The mother and grandmother of Preston were seen weeping throughout the trial, their sorrow reflecting the loss of a child who had been placed in their care. The prosecution’s arguments underscored the severity of the abuse, detailing how the couple systematically harmed the infant. The jury’s decision to convict Varley of murder and multiple other charges has been met with both relief and outrage, as the community grapples with the implications of the case.

Det Ch Insp Andy Fallows described the couple’s actions as “pure evil,” highlighting the cruelty they inflicted on Preston. He noted that the child’s short life was marked by misery, with the abuse escalating from mild neglect to violent assault. The Crown Prosecution Service’s Karen Tonge added that the case is among the most horrifying she has encountered, emphasizing the lack of compassion and the deliberate harm caused to the child. The trial’s eight-week duration and the jury’s meticulous consideration of evidence have provided a clear picture of the couple’s guilt, with their sentences expected to reflect the gravity of their actions.

Oldham Council and Adoption Now have since reiterated their commitment to reviewing the case and improving safeguards. The ongoing Child Safeguarding Practice Review will assess whether the council and the adoption agency failed to detect the risks posed by Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley. Meanwhile, the families of Preston continue to mourn, with the incident serving as a stark reminder of the potential dangers in adoption processes. As the case moves to sentencing, the community awaits the outcome, hoping it will bring justice to the child whose life was cut short by the hands of those entrusted with his care.