A baby who died after allegedly being subjected to sustained physical, emotional and sexual abuse was found to have a “human bite mark” on his bottom six weeks before his death, a court has heard.
15‑month‑old Preston Davey was carried into Blackpool Victoria Hospital in cardiac arrest at 6.20pm on July 27, 2023. Despite an hour‑long battle to revive him, he was pronounced dead at 7.20pm.
His adoptive father, Jamie Varley, 37, stands accused of murdering the child, while his partner John McGowan‑Fazackerley, 32, is charged with causing or allowing Preston’s death. Both men deny the allegations, which also include multiple counts of child cruelty and sexual assault.
View 3 ImagesBaby Preston Davey the morning after his first sleepover with his adoptive parents Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazackerley
On Wednesday (May 13), expert witness Dr Alison Armour told Preston Crown Court that the autopsy she carried out on the baby determined the cause of his death to be acute upper airways obstruction, caused by either smothering or an object being inserted into his mouth.
The forensic Home Office pathologist, who has 39 years of experience in the field, added that the post-mortem revealed more than 40 separate internal and external injuries. The expert was also asked to review several videos and photographs taken from the defendants’ mobile phones.
One such photo, taken on June 12, 2023, showed the tot playing naked in a paddling pool in the back garden of their home on Staining Avenue, Preston. However, a close-up showed a round bruise, approximately one inch in diameter, on the little boy’s right buttock.
“It is my view that this most likely represents a human bite mark,” Dr Armour said, referring to an unmarked area of skin in the middle of the circular mark.
The jury heard a detailed account of the marks and injuries Dr Armour found during the post-mortem examination of Preston’s body. ‘Fingertip bruises’, indicative of f gripping, pinching or prodding, and a mark to his thigh consistent with a slap, were highlighted.
View 3 ImagesJamie Varley, 36 (left) sits in the dock at Preston Crown Court(Image: Elizabeth Cook/PA Wire)
As was internal bruising to the toddler’s throat, described as “highly unusual” and most likely sustained within hours of Preston’s death. The pathologist ruled out the suggestion that the bruises were caused during resuscitation efforts as he did not have a heartbeat, and therefore would not have bruised, when he was intubated in hospital.
Royal Preston Hospital staff were told that Preston had drowned in the bath, but Dr Armour confirmed she did not believe there was any evidence supporting this claim, as she failed to find water in Preston’s stomach or lungs during examination to support the theory.
She also ruled out any natural cause, infection or genetic condition. Instead, she pointed out multiple signs of asphyxiation to support her findings that Preston had suffocated.
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Mr Varley recorded a video at 4.45pm on the day Preston died, the court was told, showing the little boy “clearly very unwell”, according to the pathologist. The video showed Preston unresponsive, and his breathing was half the rate that would be expected of a child his age.
The baby had also suffered ‘unnatural’ injuries to his pelvic organs, Dr Armour concluded, likely inflicted within hours of his death.
Varley is accused of murder; sexual assault of a child under 13; inflicting grievous bodily harm; five counts of child cruelty; and further counts of making, taking and distributing indecent images.
McGowan-Fazackerley is accused of causing or allowing the death of a child; two counts of child cruelty; and sexual assault of a child under 13.
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Both men deny the allegations.
Proceeding