A teacher is currently facing charges of sexually abusing and causing the death of a 13-month-old baby he was in the process of adopting. Shockingly, the teacher allegedly sent a text message to his partner confessing, “I strangled him,” as revealed in court.
The accused, Jamie Varley, aged 37, is being accused of the abuse and murder of Preston Davey, while his partner, John McGowan-Fazackerley, aged 32, is implicated for allegedly allowing the child’s tragic death. Preston passed away at Blackpool Victoria Hospital in July 2023 after allegedly enduring 40 injuries in just four months under the care of the couple.
Varley and McGowan-Fazackerley, both residing in Grimsargh, Preston, are currently on trial at Preston Crown Court facing a series of charges related to the baby’s case. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to all accusations.
During the trial, the jury was presented with a text message sent from Varley’s phone to McGowan-Fazackerley on July 10, 2023, stating, “Your son’s in hospital. I strangled him. Jokes, just give me a call when done.”
Earlier in the proceedings, it was disclosed that Varley expressed his difficulties with sleep to a friend shortly after the baby arrived at the defendants’ residence in Blackpool on April 1, 2023, due to the baby’s frequent night awakenings.
On April 6, Varley messaged his sister, who is a baby sleep trainer, mentioning, “He’s dead meat today. Didn’t sleep last night after 11.30. Up every one and a half hours.”
Days later, Varley shared a video of Preston in his walker with his mother, Karen Graham, who replied, “Clever boy xxx.” Varley disturbingly responded, “This was before he was murdered and put to bed.”
Additionally, Varley allegedly made concerning comments to a friend, expressing a desire to place the baby in a field with cows during the baby’s first sleepover, despite also describing Preston as a “ray of sunshine.”
Varley reportedly described Preston as constantly crying and mentioned the struggles they faced due to the baby’s sleep disruptions, labelling it a “nightmare.”
Varley has pleaded not guilty to charges including murder, manslaughter, assault, cruelty to a child, bodily harm, and various sexual offenses related to the child. On the other hand, McGowan-Fazakerley denies accusations of allowing a child’s death, child cruelty, and child sexual assault. The trial is set to resume on May 5.
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