The name Preston Davey has become synonymous with one of the most harrowing child abuse cases in recent British history. In July 2023, this 13-month-old baby boy lost his life at the hands of the very person who was supposed to protect him: his adoptive father. The case of Preston Davey has shocked the nation, exposing devastating failures in the safeguarding system and revealing the dark reality hidden behind a carefully crafted facade of respectability .
What followed was an eight-week trial that uncovered a four-month campaign of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse inflicted on a defenceless infant. The teacher who murdered Preston Davey, Jamie Varley, was handed a whole-life order, ensuring he will die in prison. His partner received a 25-year sentence. This article delves into the tragic story of Preston Davey, exploring the timeline of events, the victims’ heartbreak, and the urgent questions this case raises about child protection in the UK .
Quick Facts About Preston Davey
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Preston Paul Arlo Davey |
| Date of Birth | June 2022 |
| Date of Death | July 27, 2023 |
| Age at Death | 13 months old |
| Cause of Death | Acute upper airway obstruction (non-accidental) |
| Killers | Jamie Varley (adoptive father) and John McGowan-Fazakerley (adoptive father) |
| Location | Blackpool, Lancashire, UK |
| Key Outcome | Jamie Varley sentenced to a whole-life order; McGowan-Fazakerley sentenced to 25 years |
The Short Life of Preston Davey
A Difficult Start
Born in June 2022, Preston Davey was taken into care just five days after his birth following an emergency care order by Oldham Council . He was placed with foster parents, Sandra and Paul Cooper, where he spent the first ten months of his life. His foster mother described him as a “joyful, so content and happy” baby with “sparkly smiling eyes” . For a time, he thrived in a loving environment.
Preston Davey’s biological mother, Sarah Davey, who was 42 at the time of the sentencing, had a difficult past. She had been jailed at the age of 14 for the murder of a frail pensioner in 1998 and had spent much of her life in and out of prison . Despite this, she maintained that she loved her son deeply. In a victim impact statement, she said, “The second he was placed in my arms, I fell completely in love with him. He was my baby, my only son” .
The Adoption and the Deception
In January 2023, Jamie Varley, a 37-year-old teacher, and his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley, a 32-year-old financial sales manager, were approved for adoption. Preston Davey began living at their home in Blackpool in April 2023, when he was nine months old .
To the outside world, they presented the image of a perfect family. They were “Instagram ready,” sharing photos of their immaculate home and a “Chosen Shower” with cake and decorations to celebrate the adoption . They even named him Preston Elijah. But this was a carefully curated lie. The facade of a happy family hid a horrifying reality of systematic abuse.
The Abuse and Murder
Four Months of Unremitting Cruelty
For the four months Preston Davey was in their care, he was subjected to “unremitting abuse” . Varley, who had taken a year off work to be the primary caregiver, physically, sexually, and emotionally tormented the baby . Messages shown in court revealed Varley’s frustration and resentment towards Preston, describing him as “annoying” and “dead meat” . A neighbour who knew Varley as a child was “not a bit surprised” by the outcome, describing him as “horrible” .
During those months, Preston Davey was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital three times for various injuries, including a nose bleed and seizure, a rash and bruising, and a fractured left elbow . Despite these repeated visits, social workers did not feel he was in immediate danger . When Preston Davey was rushed to the hospital for the final time, his body bore the evidence of 40 traumatic injuries .
The Final Day
On July 27, 2023, just 90 minutes before he finally sought help, Varley recorded a 35-second video of Preston Davey in extreme distress, struggling to breathe. Instead of helping the child, Varley was between using Snapchat and checking emails . At 6:30 PM, Varley rushed Preston Davey to Blackpool Victoria Hospital. He told medical staff that Preston Davey had accidentally drowned in the bath .
However, medics found the baby was dry, and there was no water in his lungs. Drowning was ruled out as the cause of death . The post-mortem examination confirmed the horrific truth: Preston Davey died from acute upper airway obstruction, a result of a violent assault, and had suffered injuries consistent with “forcible penetration” and sexual abuse . He was just 13 months old.
The Trial and Sentencing
Justice for Preston
Jamie Varley stood trial at Preston Crown Court for the murder of Preston Davey. During the trial, he lied to the police, claiming the baby had drowned. The evidence against him was overwhelming. One juror was so distressed by the evidence that the trial had to be aborted and re-started with a new jury .
Varley was found guilty of murder and sexual assault. His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, was found guilty of allowing the death of a child, child cruelty, and sexual assault. The judge described Preston Davey’s case as being of “the most extreme gravity” .
In a moving victim impact statement, Preston Davey’s mother, Sarah Davey, said she lives with “the unimaginable pain of wondering what he went through” . She told the men, “I will never forgive you for what you did to my son and what you stopped him from becoming and achieving in his life” . Preston Davey’s biological father, Gary Nolan, who never got to meet his son, was so traumatized by the news of his death that he had to be hospitalized for two days .
The Sentences
Jamie Varley was handed a whole-life order, meaning he will never be released from prison . John McGowan-Fazakerley was sentenced to 25 years in prison . Detective Chief Inspector Andy Fallows described Varley as a “serial manipulator and a serial liar” who showed no evidence of “regret, remorse, or actual sorrow for Preston Davey” .
Conclusion
The story of Preston Davey is a tragedy of unimaginable proportions. It is a story of a vulnerable child failed by the very system designed to protect him, placed into the hands of a cruel and calculating killer who saw him as a plaything. The pain of Preston Davey’s mother, father, and foster parents is palpable, a grief they will carry for the rest of their lives . The sentences handed down to Varley and his partner cannot bring Preston Davey back, but they ensure that justice has been served.
This case must serve as a catalyst for change. The independent reviews must be thorough and transparent to ensure that no other child suffers the fate of Preston Davey. As his foster mother, Sandra Cooper, said, she and her husband continued to foster other children “to protect them. We are doing this for Preston, in his memory” . It is a powerful reminder that in the face of such darkness, the commitment to protect the innocent must never waver.
Frequently Asked Questions About Preston Davey
1. Who was Preston Davey?
Preston Davey was a 13-month-old baby boy from the UK who was tragically murdered by his adoptive father in July 2023. He was taken into care shortly after birth and placed with foster parents for the first nine months of his life before being adopted .
2. What happened to Preston Davey?
Preston Davey was subjected to four months of horrific physical, sexual, and emotional abuse at the hands of his adoptive father, Jamie Varley. He died from acute upper airway obstruction, the result of a violent assault. Varley attempted to cover it up by claiming he had drowned in the bath .
3. What is a whole-life order?
A whole-life order is a sentence of last resort in the UK, meaning the prisoner will never be eligible for parole and will remain in prison for the rest of their life. It is reserved for the most serious cases, such as the murder of a child .
4. Who else was convicted in connection with Preston Davey’s death?
John McGowan-Fazakerley, Varley’s partner and Preston’s other adoptive father, was convicted of sexual assault, child cruelty, and allowing the death of a child. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison .
5. What is being done to prevent something like this from happening again?
A child safeguarding practice review has been launched by Oldham Council to investigate how Preston was failed by the system. The UK’s Children’s Minister has also instructed independent experts to examine the case and see if lessons can be learned .
