Teacher said baby was ‘dead meat’, jury hears

Teacher said baby was dead meat – At Preston Crown Court, a former teacher and his partner face serious allegations of sexually abusing and killing an adopted infant. Jamie Varley, 37, and John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, are accused of inflicting harm on 13-month-old Preston Davey, who died in July 2023. During the trial, Varley claimed the child was “dead meat” and had “murdered” him, according to testimony presented to the jury.

Adoption and Abuse Timeline

The adoption of Preston Davey by Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley occurred in April 2023, as detailed in court documents. For nearly four months after the child joined their household, he allegedly experienced repeated mistreatment and 40 traumatic injuries. Jurors were told that these incidents took place at the defendants’ home in Blackpool, which had become a site of alleged abuse. The infant was ultimately found unconscious and in cardiac arrest on 27 July 2023, requiring emergency hospital care.

Varley, who had previously served as a head of year at a high school, took a year off work to adopt Preston. Despite this, he reportedly struggled with the challenges of caring for the child, particularly due to sleep deprivation. His sister, a baby sleep trainer, was texted on 6 April with a message that hinted at his growing frustration: “He’s dead meat today. Didn’t sleep last night after 11.30. Up every one and a half hours.” This exchange, which included Varley’s admission of sleepless nights, painted a picture of his increasing stress and emotional toll.

Testimonies and Text Messages

Varley’s texts to his mother, Karen Graham, further illustrated his emotional state. A video of Preston in his walker was sent to her four days after the adoption, and she responded with a cheerful “Clever boy xxx.” In reply, Varley stated:

“This was before he was murdered and put to bed.”

The message suggested a shift in his perception of the child, from a manageable presence to a victim of his actions.

Other messages revealed Varley’s mixed feelings about Preston. He texted a friend, confessing that the first sleepover had left him feeling overwhelmed:

“First sleep over. I wanted to put him in the field with the cows.”

Despite this, he later described Preston as a “ray of sunshine,” highlighting the complexity of his emotions. However, he also noted the child’s constant need for attention, saying:

“He’s just annoying. Lol.”

These contradictory statements underscore the tension in the case.

Foster Parent’s Account

Sandra Cooper, a foster parent who had cared for Preston since June 2022, provided testimony that emphasized the child’s prior well-being. She stated:

“Preston was a very happy baby.”

According to her, the infant was not a “good sleeper” but had quickly calmed down with a head stroke. She also mentioned that after addressing Preston’s dairy intolerance, the child became “happy and content,” asserting that he was “a perfectly healthy baby” at the time of adoption.

Cooper handed over Preston to Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley in late March 2023, following the child’s removal from care by Oldham Council when he was just five days old. The transition to the defendants’ home, however, marked a turning point. In the months that followed, Preston was taken to hospital three times, including an incident involving a fractured left elbow. These hospital visits, coupled with the alleged abuse, raised concerns about the child’s condition and the defendants’ care.

Death and Post-Mortem Findings

On 27 July 2023, the baby was rushed to the hospital by the defendants, where he was found in a critical state. Medical professionals determined that the cause of death was acute upper airways obstruction, likely due to smothering or an object inserted into his mouth. The post-mortem examination confirmed multiple non-accidental injuries, adding to the evidence of systemic abuse.

Varley told police that he had briefly left Preston unattended in the bath and returned to find the child drowning. This account, however, has been scrutinized as part of the prosecution’s case. The defense has argued that the injuries were not intentional, but the jury must now weigh the evidence to determine whether the defendants’ actions were premeditated or the result of neglect.

Charges and Legal Proceedings

Varley faces a range of serious charges, including murder, manslaughter, two counts of assault by penetration, five counts of cruelty to a child, grievous bodily harm, and 13 counts of indecently photographing a child. He also stands accused of distributing an indecent photo of the child to his co-accused and making an indecent photo. McGowan-Fazakerley, meanwhile, denies allowing the death of a child and is charged with three counts of child cruelty and one count of sexual assault of a child.

The trial has seen Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley present conflicting accounts of their treatment of Preston. While Varley claimed the child was “refusing” to sleep and “very needy,” he also expressed doubt about their parenting decisions, stating:

“Right now we are questioning every choice.”

These admissions have been central to the prosecution’s argument that the defendants’ actions were deliberate and harmful.

Public and Media Attention

The case has drawn significant attention from the media and the public, with the BBC Radio Lancashire team covering the proceedings. The trial continues as jurors evaluate the evidence, including Varley’s text messages and the foster parent’s testimony. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for the defendants and their families.

As the trial progresses, the focus remains on the alleged abuse and the psychological state of the defendants. The legal team for Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley will need to address the inconsistencies in their statements and provide a compelling defense. Meanwhile, the prosecution aims to establish a pattern of neglect and abuse that led to the infant’s tragic death.

For those following the case, the BBC Radio Lancashire team offers updates and insights. You can listen to their coverage on Sounds or follow their social media accounts on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Additionally, story ideas can be sent via WhatsApp to 0808 100 2230.

Broader Implications

The case highlights the complexities of child adoption and the potential for abuse within family settings. While the foster parent’s testimony suggested that Preston was healthy and content before being placed with the defendants, the subsequent events have cast doubt on the adequacy of the adoption process. The defendants’ home, once a place of care, became a site of alleged harm, raising questions about the support provided to new parents and the oversight of adoption agencies.

As the trial unfolds, the jury will assess the evidence to determine whether the defendants’ actions were a result of stress, neglect, or intentional harm. The emotional and psychological toll on Varley, as evidenced by his texts, adds a human dimension to the legal battle. The case continues to captivate the public, underscoring the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable children from harm.