Tragic Preston Davey Murder Case Shocks UK

A shocking trial at Preston Crown Court has concluded with adoptive father Jamie Varley, 37, a teacher, found guilty of murdering his baby son, Preston Davey. His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, a salesman, was convicted of allowing the little boy’s death. The couple had been in the process of adopting Preston when he collapsed at their home in Staining Road, Blackpool, while solely in Varley's care.

Preston, described as ‘just beautiful’ by his foster carers, was happy and healthy when placed with the defendants at nine months old. Despite a milk allergy and sleep issues, a pre-adoption medical found ‘no major health concerns’. On April 3, 2023, Preston was placed with Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley, who had been approved after a training program with Adoption Now, an agency managing adoptions for councils in Greater Manchester and Lancashire.

Over the subsequent four months, the jury determined that Preston was subjected to physical, sexual, and psychological abuse by Varley, a former head of year at South Shore Academy, Blackpool. McGowan-Fazakerley was found to have been aware of the risk posed to Preston but failed to intervene, a failure that tragically cost the baby his life. Preston was hospitalized on three separate occasions for breathing difficulties, seizures, and an arm injury during his short time in Blackpool.

On July 27, 2023, McGowan-Fazakerley returned home at 6:15 pm to find Preston seriously unwell and in need of urgent medical attention. Less than ten minutes later, the 13-month-old was carried into Blackpool Victoria Hospital’s A&E department, unresponsive and in cardiac arrest. Upon arrival, Varley claimed Preston had fallen from a bath seat after being left alone for a few minutes. However, a postmortem examination by Dr. Alison Armour revealed 40 non-accidental internal and external injuries to his head, face, leg, arm, bottom, and pelvic organs, with unequivocal signs of sexual abuse hours before his death. The prosecution alleged Preston died of ‘acute upper airways obstruction,’ suggesting he was ‘smothered to death.’

The verdicts saw Jamie Varley convicted of murder, two counts of assault by penetration, four counts of cruelty, grievous bodily harm (GBH), and 14 charges related to making and taking indecent images. John McGowan-Fazakerley was found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child, two counts of cruelty, and sexual assault. Varley reacted by putting his hand over his mouth and dropping to the floor as the verdicts were delivered, while McGowan-Fazakerley stared straight ahead. Preston’s birth mother, present in the public gallery, sobbed and was consoled by her mother.

It can now be revealed that baby Preston Davey’s birth mother is Sarah Davey, 43, a notorious convicted murderer. Preston was taken from his mother five days after his birth, on June 16, 2022, and eventually placed with his adoptive ‘dads.’ Sarah Davey was aged 14 when, in 1998, she and her 15-year-old friend Lisa Healey befriended and brutally tortured vulnerable grandmother Lily Lilley, squirting shampoo in her eyes, cutting her with a knife, and tying a gag so tightly that her dentures were forced down her throat. They then put her lifeless body in a wheelie bin, walked it through Failsworth streets, and threw it into the Rochdale Canal, subsequently using her phone and pension money. Davey received a life sentence in 1999, with the judge describing the murder as 'unspeakably wicked.'

Sarah Davey was released from Askham Grange women’s prison for the first time in March 2013, 14 years into her sentence, but soon breached her license due to cocaine use and was recalled. She found it challenging to stay out of trouble, having been arrested for a breach of the peace in Failsworth later that year. She was released on license at least six more times until November 2021, only to be recalled to prison each time. While out on license, she had a daughter, and a second pregnancy with Preston postponed a Parole Board hearing. Preston’s birth certificate listed her address as the mother and baby unit at Styal women’s prison and her occupation as hairdresser.

Preston’s grandmother, Debra Davey, 66, has demanded answers regarding how Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley were allowed to adopt baby Preston, stating that ‘alarm bells should have been ringing.’ The family had objected to the adoption by two men due to a ‘gut feeling,’ informing social services and foster parents. Debra had planned to care for Preston herself but was diagnosed with breast cancer the day after his birth, making it impossible. She expressed her devastation, calling Varley’s crime ‘disgusting’ and stating he ‘should never see the light of day again.’

Debra believes McGowan-Fazakerley was complicit, stating, “You don’t live in the same house as someone and not know what’s going on.” She seeks accountability from social services, the adoption agency, and hospital staff, questioning the checks made and why Preston’s case wasn't flagged. Sarah Davey, who was released from jail on March 23, 2024, regularly posts about Preston on TikTok and was visibly distressed during the trial when details of her son's abuse were revealed, despite the jurors not being informed of her identity or past.