A teacher, Jamie Varley, 37, stands accused of the sexual abuse and murder of 13-month-old Preston Davey, who he was in the process of adopting. The alleged offences took place in Preston, with the baby dying at Blackpool Victoria Hospital in July 2023.
Varley’s partner, John McGowan-Fazackerley, 32, also faces charges of allowing the child’s death. Both men deny all allegations in court.
During the trial, the jury was shown a text message sent from Varley’s phone to McGowan-Fazackerley on July 10, 2023, which read: “Your son’s in hospital. I strangled him. Jokes, just give me a call when done.” This message forms a central part of the prosecution’s case.
Prosecutors allege that Preston suffered 40 injuries over a period of four months while in the care of Varley and McGowan-Fazackerley before his death. The case highlights allegations of significant child cruelty and abuse.
It also emerged during the trial that Varley sent messages describing difficulties with Preston’s sleeping patterns shortly after the child moved into their home in Blackpool on April 1, 2023. He messaged his sister, referring to Preston as “dead meat today” due to lack of sleep, and told a friend he wanted to “put him in the field with the cows.”
Varley denies all charges, including murder, manslaughter, sexual assault, and multiple counts of child cruelty. McGowan-Fazackerley denies charges of allowing the death, child cruelty, and sexual assault.
The trial is ongoing, with further evidence scheduled to be presented on May 5.
Originally published by UKNIP.
