Emerging
Jun 18, 2026 Major3
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UK teacher jailed for life for murder and abuse of adopted baby Preston Davey
Teacher Jamie Varley has been given a whole life order for sexually abusing and murdering 13-month-old Preston Davey, whom he adopted with his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley. Preston suffered 40 traumatic injuries over four months before dying of airway obstruction. The case has highlighted failures in safeguarding and prompted a review of adoption oversight.
Quick Facts
Who
Jamie Varley
What
murder
When
2026-06-18
Where
Preston Crown Court
- murder
- sexual abuse
- child cruelty
- allowing death of a child
- whole life order imposed
A secondary school teacher has been sentenced to a rare whole life order for the sexual abuse and murder of his adopted baby son, in a case that has sparked widespread outrage and calls for stronger adoption safeguards.
Jamie Varley, 37, was handed the whole life term by Mr Justice Turner at Preston Crown Court on Thursday, meaning he will spend the rest of his life in prison with no possibility of parole. His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was jailed for 25 years for sexual assault, child cruelty and allowing the death of a child.
The baby, Preston Davey, was 13 months old when he died on 27 July 2023 at the couple's home in Staining, near Blackpool. He had been placed with Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley for adoption at nine months old, after being taken into care at five days old through an emergency care order by Oldham Council. Preston's biological mother, Sarah Davey, was herself a convicted killer, having been jailed at age 14 for the murder of a pensioner.
During the four months Preston lived with the couple, he was subjected to routine ill-treatment, sexual abuse and physical assault, suffering a total of 40 traumatic injuries. Prosecutor Peter Wright KC told the court the couple treated the baby as a "plaything." Evidence included disturbing images and videos found on Varley's phone.
On the day of his death, Varley rushed Preston to Blackpool Victoria Hospital, claiming he had left the baby in the bath for a few minutes and returned to find him submerged. However, the baby's hair was dry and there was no evidence he had swallowed water. A pathologist gave the cause of death as acute upper airways obstruction by smothering or insertion of objects into the baby's mouth. Medics worked for 50 minutes to revive him but failed.
In victim impact statements read to the court, Preston's biological mother, Sarah Davey, said: "Every single day, I live with the unimaginable pain of wondering what he went through. The reality of how he suffered is something I will carry for the rest of my life." Preston's father, Gary Nolan, described being hospitalised after learning of his son's death, saying he was "hysterical and crying."
The case has raised serious questions about whether authorities missed opportunities to save Preston. In the weeks before his death, the baby was seen by multiple professionals including social workers, doctors and nurses, and was taken to hospital three times—once with a broken arm—yet each time he was returned to the couple's care. A child safeguarding practice review, paused during criminal proceedings, has now resumed and will examine the handling of Preston's welfare by all agencies involved.
Detective Chief Inspector Andy Fallows of Lancashire Police, the senior investigating officer, said: "It is not often in this job that you encounter pure evil. Anybody who has followed this trial will no doubt understand why I place Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazakerley in that category."
Preston's foster mother, Sandra Cooper, who cared for him in his first nine months alongside her husband Paul, told the court the couple had continued fostering in his memory. "We felt we had a duty to other children and could not sit back and enjoy ourselves knowing that other children were being abused, mistreated and could die," she said.
Why This Matters
This case underscores the critical need for rigorous oversight in adoption processes, especially for vulnerable children with complex backgrounds. The failure of multiple professionals — social workers, doctors, nurses — to act on repeated red flags (including a broken arm and three hospital visits) highlights systemic gaps that could be exploited by abusive caregivers. For readers concerned with child welfare, it reinforces why independent safeguarding reviews and proactive intervention protocols are essential to prevent similar tragedies.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 1998
WireSarah Davey jailed at age 14 for murder of a pensioner
Jul 27, 2023
WirePreston dies after being rushed to hospital; medics unable to revive him
Jun 18, 2026
WireVarley sentenced to whole life order; McGowan-Fazakerley sentenced to 25 years
Entities
Sources
- Whole life order given to UK teacher who sexually abused and murdered adopted babyThe GuardianMediaJun 18, 2026
- Mum's 'unimaginable pain' over killing of baby boyBBCMediaJun 18, 2026
- Mother of 13-month old Preston Davey haunted by ‘unimaginable pain’ of his murder: ‘I will carry for the rest of my life’The IndependentMediaJun 18, 2026