An ex-teacher who murdered baby Preston Davey after he and his partner carried out a campaign of sexual abuse will be jailed today.
Jamie Varley, 37, was found guilty of murdering the 13-month-old during a sexual assault on July 27, 2023. His partner, ex-public schoolboy and financial sales manager, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, will also be sentenced for his role in Preston’s death, as well as a joint sex attack on the child four days earlier.
Preston, who was born to convicted killer Sarah Davey, was placed in the couple’s care in April 2023, at nine months old. The tot endured horrific physical, sexual and emotional abuse at the hands of Varley for months while McGowan-Fazakerley turned a blind eye before taking part in a joint attack on Preston on July 23. On July 27, Preston was rushed to Blackpool Victoria Hospital in cardiac arrest and pronounced dead at 7.18pm.
Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley will be sentenced for their crimes at Preston Crown Court today.
New UpdatesView PostView PostToday10:17 BST
John McGowan-Fazakerley is facing a jail term of between 12-18 years for allowing the death of a child.
He is also charged with cruelty and sexual assault of a child under 13.
Zahra KhaliqToday10:16 BST
The defendants have been identified.
Peter Wright KC has asked High Court judge Mr Justice Turner to consider a whole life order or minimum term of at least 30 years for Varley’s murder conviction.
Varley is also charged with assault by penetration, cruelty x3, GBH, sexual assault of a child under 13 and taking/making/distributing indecent images.
The judge says it is inevitable Varley will be sentenced to life and he will have to decide how to categorise that. All the other offences will be concurrent, he says.
The indecent images are uncategorised and although they are serious offences, the judge says he will not pass separate sentences – they will be taken into account in considering the overall sentence.
Zahra KhaliqToday10:14 BST
Peter Wright KC will represent the prosecution during today’s sentencing hearing.
Nick Johnson KC is representing Jamie Varley, along with Richard Varden, junior counsel.
Anne Whyte KC is not in attendance but John McGowan-Fazakerley will be represented by junior counsel Steven Swift, who has been present throughout the trial, reports Manchester Evening News.
The pair are being sentenced at Preston Crown Court(Image: MEN Media)
Court One at Preston Crown Court is packed this morning, with some jurors having returned to watch the sentencing hearing.
The two defendants are both sitting in the dock as they await the start of proceedings. Jamie Varley is dressed in faded black jeans and a dark polo shirt. He appears thin and pale. McGowan-Fazakerley is dressed in a dark blue suit and tie.
The judge is about to enter the courtroom.
Zahra KhaliqToday09:55 BST
Mugshots released by Lancashire Police show defendants Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazakerley following their conviction.
Jamie Varley(Image: Lancashire Police/PA Wire)
John McGowan-Fazakerley(Image: Lancashire Police/PA Wire)
Preston Davey was born on June 16, 2022, and went into foster care five days after his birth.
He was the son of convicted killer Sarah Davey, who brutally tortured and murdered a pensioner in Failsworth in Oldham in 1998. Ms Davey has been in and out of prison since the age of 14.
Preston was adopted at nine months old by Jamie Varley, 37, and his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, in April 2023.
During the four months that the baby was in the couple’s care at their home in Blackpool, he was routinely ill-treated, had indecent images and videos taken of him, and was sexually abused and physically assaulted, suffering 40 traumatic injuries.
Preston died in hospital on July 27, 2023, having suffered a collapse and cardiac arrest after a sexual assault by Varley.
Baby Preston Davey died in hospital on July 27, 2023
Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazakerley will be jailed today for the murder and sexual abuse of baby Preston Davey.
This week, Varley was found guilty of murder, GBH, sexual assault, cruelty, and making, taking and distributing indecent images of Preston Davey.
McGowan-Fazakerley was convicted of causing or allowing Preston’s death, cruelty, and sexual assault.
The pair will be sentenced at Preston Crown Court.