Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazakerley Found Guilty of Preston Davey’s Murder

A secondary school teacher and his partner have been found guilty of the horrific sexual abuse and murder of a 13-month-old baby they were adopting.

A secondary school teacher and his partner have been convicted in a case described as one of the most shocking and horrific by prosecutors. Jamie Varley, 37, and John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, were found guilty of the sexual abuse and murder of 13-month-old Preston Davey, who suffocated during the abuse.

The couple, who presented themselves as a respectable, middle-class pair, were found to have subjected Preston to a litany of psychological and sexual ill-treatment over the near four-month period he was in their care. The case has sparked outrage and calls for social worker accountability.

The Unspeakable Crimes of Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazakerley

Varley, a head of Year 11 at South Shore Academy in Blackpool, and McGowan-Fazakerley, a sales manager, were convicted of multiple charges, including murder, assault, and cruelty. Prosecutor Peter Wright KC described how Preston was used as a plaything to satisfy Varley’s desires.

Preston’s grandmother, Debbie Davey, expressed relief at the verdict but also anger at the missed opportunities to save her grandson. She called for social workers involved in the case to be sacked, stating that everyone involved with Preston is still working, which she deemed unacceptable.

The Tragic Background of Preston Davey

Preston was the son of Sarah Davey, who, at the age of 14, committed a brutal murder. In 1998, Davey and her friend Lisa Healey tortured and killed Lily Lilley, a 71-year-old grandmother. The pair squirted shampoo into Lilley’s eyes, cut her with a knife, and tied a gag so tightly that her dentures were forced down her throat. They then disposed of her body in the Rochdale Canal.

Sarah Davey was released from prison in 2013 but struggled to stay out of trouble. Preston was born in June 2026 when Davey was back in prison. He was taken into foster care and later placed with Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley for adoption.

The Final Days of Preston Davey

Preston’s death on July 27, 2026, was the culmination of a series of abuses. He was rushed to Blackpool Victoria Hospital by Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley, with Varley putting on a dramatic display of hysterics. Despite medical efforts, Preston was pronounced dead after just 50 minutes.

A post-mortem examination revealed that Preston died from acute upper airways obstructionwith bruising to his throat and serious internal injuries. The court heard that Varley may have sexually assaulted Preston twice on the afternoon of his death, causing him to suffocate and have a seizure.

Preston had been taken to the hospital three times previously with various injuries, including a broken elbow due to rough handling. The court heard that Varley had told McGowan-Fazakerley about a seizure Preston had on June 15, further indicating the abuse Preston endured.

The trial lasted over seven weeks, with the jury taking 13 hours to reach their verdict. Varley was convicted of murder, assault by penetration, sexual assault, causing grievous bodily harm, and cruelty. McGowan-Fazakerley was convicted of causing or allowing the death of a child, cruelty, and sexual assault.

Sentencing was adjourned until Thursday, with Mr. Justice Mark Turner reminding everyone present to act with dignity. The case has left a profound impact on the community and raised questions about the safeguarding processes in place for vulnerable children.