A teacher stands accused of murdering a 13-month-old baby he was in the process of adopting, after confessing to a colleague about his “dark thoughts” of drowning or suffocating the child, but claiming he would never actually do it.
Jamie Varley and Partner Facing Shocking Charges
Jamie Varley, 37, and his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, were adopting little Preston Davey, named Elijah by the couple, when tragedy struck in July 2023.
- Varley is charged with serious sexual assault and smothering Preston to death by blocking his airways.
- A former work colleague revealed Varley’s disturbing admission after Preston’s death, raising alarm bells.
Disturbing Details from Preston Crown Court
Prosecutor Peter Wright, KC, told the court how Varley spoke to a close colleague after visiting her with Preston, who had a broken elbow in a cast. Varley appeared “on edge” and admitted he was struggling mentally.
“He disclosed that he had harmful thoughts towards Elijah and had thoughts of drowning or suffocating him but said he would never carry them out,” Mr Wright said.
The colleague tried to reassure him, explaining that such thoughts were sometimes “parental worst-case scenarios” and “protective” rather than actual intentions. Varley claimed to have confided his struggles to work welfare officers and social workers involved in the adoption.
Chilling Snapchat Video Shows Preston Struggling to Breathe
On the day Preston died, Varley filmed a 45-second Snapchat video showing the baby in clear distress, struggling for breath on a double bed. Medical experts said Preston appeared to be recovering from a serious breathing episode, with signs of cyanosis—a blue tint signalling oxygen deprivation. Yet Varley did nothing to help. Instead, he used his phone calculator and messaged his partner about selling a kayak – without mentioning Preston’s condition. The prosecution slammed Varley’s inaction, pointing out:
“He had his phone, he was recording. Blackpool Victoria Hospital was less than a mile away. Why did he do nothing until his partner came home?”
Post-Mortem Reveals Horrifying Injuries
Preston was later sexually assaulted and smothered. His post-mortem revealed obstruction of the upper airways, and multiple bruises and internal injuries consistent with non-accidental harm. The serious injuries occurred just hours before his death, and he showed signs of previous airway obstruction. Witness testimony and evidence pointed to Varley’s “calculated charade” of distress at the hospital, where CCTV showed him rushing with Preston in his arms – an act the prosecution said was “all for show.”
Defendants Deny All Charges
In police interviews, both Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley denied responsibility for Preston’s death. Varley maintained that the baby drowned in the bath and denied any sexual motivation behind indecent images of Preston found on his phone, which had been shared with his partner. Varley faces charges including:
- Murder
- Serious sexual assaults
- Grievous bodily harm (GBH) for breaking Preston’s elbow
- Cruelty and making indecent images of the child
McGowan-Fazakerley pleads not guilty to causing or allowing Preston’s death, sexual assault, and cruelty.
