A colleague testified in court that a teacher, Jamie Varley, shared concerning thoughts about an adopted baby before the child’s tragic death. Varley, 37, allegedly struggled with caring for 13-month-old Preston Davey, whom he had adopted with his partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley. Varley initially claimed the child drowned accidentally in a bath, but a post-mortem examination revealed the baby had suffered 40 injuries.
Both Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley are also facing charges related to sexual offenses against the child. The colleague, Janet Gee, recounted an incident where Varley brought Preston to her home with a blue plaster cast on his arm, expressing distress and mentioning harmful thoughts about drowning or suffocating the baby. Varley assured Gee that he would not act on these thoughts.
Gee stated that Varley had disclosed these concerns to their employer, and welfare home visits were being arranged. Despite Varley’s reassurances, Gee believed the situation was being addressed. Varley, who worked as a design and technology technician at South Shore Academy in Blackpool, later became a teacher at the school after completing training.
Preston, born on June 16, 2022, was placed with Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley in April 2023 after being adopted. Varley took a year off from work to care for the child but reportedly struggled with the responsibilities of parenthood. In the months leading up to Preston’s death, the child allegedly suffered ill-treatment, abuse, and sustained multiple injuries.
Following the baby’s death, Varley provided conflicting explanations for the injuries, including a claim that Preston fell out of a bath seat. However, medical examinations revealed severe injuries consistent with abuse rather than accidental incidents. The cause of Preston’s death was determined to be acute upper airways obstruction, likely caused by smothering or foreign objects inserted into his mouth.
Varley denies charges of murder, manslaughter, assault, cruelty, and other offenses related to the child’s death. McGowan-Fazakerley also denies charges of allowing a child’s death and child cruelty. The trial continues as the court examines the tragic circumstances surrounding Preston Davey’s untimely demise.