Preston Davey Murderer Receives Whole Life Order as Family Shares Heartbreak

Jamie Varley, 37, a former high school teacher, has been handed a whole life order, meaning he will never be released from prison, for the murder and sexual abuse of 13-month-old Preston Davey. His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, received a 25-year jail sentence for his involvement in a sick sex attack on the baby four days before his death and for allowing Preston’s death. The sentencing at Preston Crown Court followed a harrowing trial that exposed the horrific abuse Preston endured in the care of his adoptive parents.

Preston Paul Arlo Davey was born on June 16, 2022, to Sarah Davey. Five days after his birth, the 5lb 7oz infant was taken into the care of Oldham Council. He was then fostered by Sandra and Paul Cooper from five days old until he was nine months. The Coopers described Preston as a “joyful,” “content and happy” baby with a beautiful smile, who “lit up any room.” They had brought him up “as their own” and built a strong bond with him, initially believing that sending him to an adoptive family was the best option.

Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley were approved for adoption in January 2023, and Preston began living at their home in Blackpool, Lancashire, in April 2023. In the subsequent four months, Preston was subjected to escalating physical, sexual, and emotional abuse at the hands of Varley, who treated the baby as his “personal plaything.” McGowan-Fazakerley not only turned a blind eye to the escalating abuse but also participated in a joint sexual attack on Preston on July 24, 2023, while the child slumped helplessly over the bars of his cot.

Preston’s wellbeing severely declined during this period, leading to three separate hospital visits for a nosebleed, breathing difficulties, and a broken elbow. Despite doctors and social workers questioning unexplained bruising on Preston’s head, Varley deceitfully claimed they were caused by a toybox or that Preston was clumsy due to a squint. On July 27, 2023, Preston was rushed to Blackpool Victoria Hospital in cardiac arrest after a final attack by Varley. Varley lied, stating Preston had slipped under water while left alone in the bath, but Preston’s hair was dry, and there was no water in his lungs. Preston was pronounced dead at 7:18 pm.

A post-mortem examination revealed 40 separate non-accidental injuries on Preston’s tiny body, confirming he had been sexually abused in the hours leading up to his death. Evidence from Varley’s phone, including photos and videos, demonstrated his sinister sexual interest had begun within weeks of Preston’s arrival. Text messages between Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley also exposed Varley’s resentment towards his role as a new parent, while McGowan-Fazakerley knowingly left Preston alone with his abuser.

During the trial, Jamie Varley was found guilty of murder, grievous bodily harm (GBH), sexual assault, cruelty, and making, taking, and distributing indecent images of Preston. John McGowan-Fazakerley was convicted of causing or allowing Preston’s death, cruelty, and sexual assault. Mr. Justice Turner, in sentencing Varley, stated, “This is a case of the utmost gravity. You will stay in prison for the whole of your life. You will never be released.” For McGowan-Fazakerley, the judge noted his culpability involved serious neglect and a failure to protect Preston.

Victim impact statements delivered in court underscored the profound devastation caused by Preston’s death. Sarah Davey, Preston’s birth mother, sobbed as she told the court, “I will never forgive you for what you did to my son.” She expressed that her “world ended” upon learning of his death and described living with the “unimaginable pain of wondering what he went through.” She highlighted the broken trust in the system and the adoptive parents, lamenting that Preston, who would have been four years old this week, was denied a full life and remains “forever thirteen months old.”

Preston’s foster carers, Sandra and Paul Cooper, also shared their heartbreak. Mrs. Cooper recounted dreaming of Preston still alive, only to re-experience the trauma upon waking. She stated that Preston’s death changed her perspective on life, leading them to continue fostering in his memory to protect other vulnerable children. Mr. Cooper, who struggled to speak about the pain, expressed his wish that they “could have kept him,” and spoke of how he has lost all trust in people and the fostering system, feeling like a “totally different person” due to the emotional and physical toll. He stated, “I cannot express enough the pain that I am going through to even speak about this and the way his life was cut so short.”

A vigil was held in Preston’s Flag Market to mark what would have been his fourth birthday, serving as a poignant reminder of the happy, giggling baby captured in earlier video footage before he became a victim of the “worst possible crimes.”