Teacher Murdered and Sexually Abused Baby He Was Adopting With Boyfriend

A schoolteacher described by police as a "serial manipulator and a serial liar" has been found guilty of murdering a 13-month-old baby he and his partner had adopted in a case that has horrified communities across the United Kingdom.

Jamie Varley, 37, of Staining, Lancashire, was convicted following an eight-week trial at Preston Crown Court. The former head of year at a secondary school denied responsibility for the death of Preston Davey but was ultimately found guilty of murder and a series of other serious offences involving the child.

The jury also convicted Varley of two counts of assault by penetration, five counts of child cruelty, grievous bodily harm, sexual assault of a child, 13 counts of taking indecent photographs or videos of a child, one count of distributing an indecent image, and one count of making an indecent image.

His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, a financial sales manager, was found guilty of allowing the death of a child, child cruelty, and sexual assault.

The verdicts came after jurors heard weeks of evidence detailing the final months of Preston's life, during which prosecutors said he was repeatedly abused by the two men who were supposed to care for him.

Who Was Preston Davey?

Preston Davey, whose birth name was Elijah, was just 13 months old when he died. The child had been placed with Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley as part of the adoption process.

According to evidence presented during the trial, the couple had begun formally adopting Preston approximately four months before his death.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Fellows later said that for the first nine months of his life, Preston had been a healthy and happy child. However, investigators said his condition deteriorated significantly while living with the defendants.

What Happened?

Prosecutor Peter Wright KC told the court that Preston was routinely ill-treated during the final four months of his life.

The prosecution argued that the toddler suffered repeated physical, psychological, and sexual abuse. Medical examinations revealed evidence of more than 40 separate injuries.

The court heard that many of the injuries could not be explained by normal childhood accidents.

Throughout the trial, the defendants maintained that some injuries occurred when Preston fell over or accidentally struck himself with toys. Prosecutors rejected those explanations and argued they were attempts to conceal a pattern of abuse.

Medical experts concluded that Preston died from acute upper airway obstruction. The prosecution said this was caused either by smothering or by objects being inserted into the child's mouth.

According to the Crown's case, Preston died while being assaulted.

The Drowning Claim

One of the most significant aspects of the trial involved an account given by Varley after Preston was rushed to hospital.

The court heard that Varley claimed the child had drowned in a bath.

However, prosecutors argued that this version of events was entirely false and had been created after Preston's death to divert attention from what had actually occurred.

Peter Wright KC told jurors that the drowning explanation was a cover story designed to mislead investigators.

After examining the medical evidence and hearing testimony from witnesses, the jury ultimately rejected that account.

Evidence Shown During the Trial

Throughout the eight-week proceedings, jurors heard extensive evidence from police officers, medical experts, and forensic specialists.

The prosecution also presented photographs and digital evidence gathered during the investigation.

According to prosecutors, the material demonstrated a sustained pattern of abuse during the four months Preston lived with the defendants.

The jury concluded that the evidence proved Varley's guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

CPS Calls Case 'Shocking and Horrific'

Following the convictions, Karen Tonge of the Crown Prosecution Service described the case as one of the most shocking and horrific she had dealt with during her career.

She said Preston had been abused by the very people who should have protected him.

"It is difficult to comprehend how the very people who should have loved him could inflict such harm on an innocent child," Tonge said.

She added that no child should have to endure what Preston experienced during the final months of his short life.

Police Reaction

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Fellows delivered a strongly worded statement after the verdicts.

He described Jamie Varley as a "serial manipulator and a serial liar" and said the investigation revealed a shocking level of cruelty.

"It is not often in this job that you encounter pure evil," Fellows said.

"Almost from day one, they set about abusing Preston and making his short life a harrowing tale of misery and pain. It was this abuse that ultimately led to Preston's death."

Fellows said Preston had entered the placement as a happy and healthy child but became what he described as a "broken shell" because of the actions of the defendants.

The senior detective also appealed for attention to remain focused on Preston rather than solely on those convicted.

"Throughout this trial we have tried to ensure the focus remained on baby Preston Davey," he said. "A little boy who was physically, sexually and psychologically abused by two individuals who were supposed to love and care for him."

Wider Impact

The case has renewed discussion about child safeguarding and adoption monitoring procedures.

Although adoption provides stable and loving homes for thousands of children every year, child welfare experts say the tragedy highlights the importance of ongoing oversight and support for vulnerable children.

The case is expected to prompt further debate about whether additional safeguards are needed to help identify signs of abuse earlier.

Sentencing

Both Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazakerley are due to be sentenced on Thursday.

While the convictions represent a significant step toward justice, they cannot reverse the loss of a young life.

For investigators, prosecutors, and those who followed the trial, the focus remains on Preston Davey—a little boy whose life ended far too soon and whose case has become one of the most disturbing child abuse prosecutions seen in the UK in recent years.