A cruel school teacher who killed his adopted infant during a sexual assault has made a court appearance. Jamie Varley, aged 37, received a life sentence for the murder of 13-month-old Preston Davey, who endured continuous abuse perpetrated by the former high school head. Varley attended Preston Crown Court via video link from HMP Wakefield, known as “Monster Mansion,” which houses some of the nation’s most infamous criminals.
Dressed in a striped sweater, Varley appeared on screen from a prison room, his arms resting on a desk in front of him, hands clasped in front of his face, and only spoke to verify his identity. He participated in a brief two-minute hearing under the “slip rule,” allowing judges to rectify legal errors or accidental mistakes.
Despite being found guilty of murder and 24 other charges during his previous sentencing, one count of sexual assault had not been properly addressed. Mr. Justice Turner, along with other trial participants, sentenced Varley to seven years in prison for the child’s sexual assault, to run concurrently with his other convictions. This additional sentence has no practical impact as Varley was already handed a whole life term and informed by the same judge that he would never be released from prison.
Varley’s partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, aged 32, also appeared via video link from HMP Preston for the hearing. He received a 25-year prison term for enabling Varley’s mistreatment of the child and engaging in the sexual abuse following an eight-week trial. Detectives characterized their actions as shocking and labeled Varley as evil and a sadist.
Preston had been subjected to severe mistreatment, routinely sexually assaulted and physically abused after being adopted at nine months old, leading to his tragic death four months later at their residence in Blackpool in July 2023. A social services investigation is currently underway.
