A former England teacher convicted of sexually abusing and murdering his 13-month-old adopted son has been sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Jamie Varley, 37, received a whole-life order after being found guilty of the murder of Preston Davey, who died in July 2023. The sentence means Varley will spend the rest of his life in prison.
His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment after being convicted of sexual assault, child cruelty and allowing the death of a child.
Sentencing the pair, the court described the case as one of “the most extreme gravity” and said Preston had suffered “unremitting abuse” and neglect while in Varley’s care.
The court heard that Preston died after enduring months of physical, sexual and emotional abuse. A post-mortem examination revealed 40 external and internal injuries, including injuries consistent with sexual abuse.
Varley initially told police that the child had accidentally drowned in a bath. However, medical evidence ruled out drowning as the cause of death.
Preston was born in June 2022 and entered foster care shortly after birth. He began living with Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley in April 2023 after the couple had been approved as adoptive parents.
Evidence presented during an eight-week trial showed the child suffered repeated non-accidental injuries during the four months he lived with the couple. He was taken to hospital on three occasions before his death, including for seizures, bruising and a fractured elbow.
On July 27, 2023, Preston was rushed to hospital by Varley but could not be revived.
In victim impact statements read to the court, Preston’s biological parents described the devastating impact of his death and the pain of learning about the abuse he suffered.
