A British secondary school teacher who subjected his 13-month-old adopted son to months of horrific physical and Sєxual abuse before murdering him has been ordered to spend the rest of his life behind bars with no chance of parole.

On 18 June 2026, Jamie Varley, 37, received a rare whole-life order at Preston Crown Court for the murder and Sєxual abuse of Preston Davey. The sentence means Varley will die in prison. His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was jailed for 25 years after being convicted of allowing the child’s death, child cruelty and Sєxual ᴀssault.

Preston was born on 16 June 2022 to Sarah Davey while she was serving a prison sentence. Just days after his birth he was taken into care and spent his first nine months with experienced foster carers, Sandra and Paul Cooper. Those carers later described him as a happy, contented baby with “sparkly smiling eyes” who lit up when they looked at him.

In early 2023 the boy was placed with Varley, a head of year at a Blackpool secondary school, and McGowan-Fazakerley, a sales manager, under an adoptive placement. Within weeks the child’s life changed completely. Prosecutors told the court the couple treated the baby as a “plaything.” Over roughly four months Preston suffered around 40 traumatic injuries. He was Sєxually abused, physically ᴀssaulted and emotionally tormented.

Evidence recovered from Varley’s phone included disturbing videos and images that documented the abuse. One clip showed the toddler left alone in a bath for more than 14 minutes. Others captured him being deliberately frightened or spun violently on playground equipment while distressed. Medical experts found clear signs of Sєxual ᴀssault and multiple non-accidental injuries.

On 27 July 2023 the couple arrived at hospital with an unresponsive Preston. Doctors fought for 50 minutes to save him but failed. Varley claimed he had briefly left the baby in the bath and returned to find him submerged. Pathologists rejected the story. Preston’s hair was dry, he still wore a nappy, and there was no evidence he had swallowed water. The official cause of death was acute upper airway obstruction — consistent with smothering or objects being forced into his mouth.

During the final weeks of his life Preston was seen repeatedly by doctors, nurses and social workers. He was taken to hospital three times, once with a broken arm. Each time the couple’s explanations were accepted and the child was sent home with them. A child safeguarding practice review examining these contacts was paused during the criminal trial and has now restarted. Children’s Commissioner Rachel de Souza called the case a “mᴀssive safeguarding failure” and questioned whether Varley’s professional status as a teacher helped him avoid closer scrutiny.

In court, Preston’s biological mother Sarah Davey sobbed as her victim impact statement was read. She said her son had been completely defenceless and that the men entrusted with his care had taken away his entire future. The foster carers who had looked after him earlier also spoke of their lasting pain, saying they still watch videos of the laughing, joyful baby they once knew.

Sentencing Varley, Mr Justice Turner told him: “It was you who did this. You murdered him.” He described a whole-life order as a sentence of last resort reserved for the most extreme cases. Detective Chief Inspector Andy Fallows of Lancashire Police called Varley’s behaviour “evil” and “monstrous,” saying the investigation had been one of the most challenging his team had ever faced.

The case has triggered widespread calls for answers about how so many professionals could have contact with a child and still miss the scale of the abuse. Independent reviews involving Oldham Council, the regional adoption agency and health services are continuing.

Preston Davey never reached his second birthday. The men who were supposed to give him a new life instead ended it in the most brutal way possible. One of them will never walk free again.

Source links: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jun/18/whole-life-order-given-to-uk-teacher-who-Sєxually-abused-and-murdered-adopted-baby-jamie-varley-preston-davey