Jamie Varley, 37, a former secondary school teacher, and his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, a financial sales manager, have been convicted at Preston Crown Court of offences relating to the abuse and death of 13-month-old Preston Davey in July 2023, amid concerns that social services missed repeated warning signs.

Varley was found guilty on June 15, 2026, of murder, child cruelty, sexual offences and offences relating to indecent images. McGowan-Fazakerley was convicted of causing or allowing the death of a child, two child cruelty offences and one count of sexual assault. Sentencing took place on June 18, with Varley receiving a whole-life order and McGowan-Fazakerley receiving 25 years, of which he must serve two-thirds.

Preston was born prematurely on June 16, 2022, in Manchester to a mother with a criminal record. Removed from her care at five days old, he thrived in foster care for his first months and was described as a healthy, happy and bubbly baby. On January 6, 2023, Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley were approved as adopters by Adoption Now. Preston moved in with them on April 1, 2023, at nine months old. He died four months later.

Evidence presented at the eight-week trial revealed that abuse began almost immediately. Varley texted his sister complaining that the baby was not sleeping and wrote: “He’s dead meat today.” Hospital visits on May 25, June 30 and July 6 showed unexplained bruises, a fractured elbow, rashes and other injuries. Social workers and police were informed, but concerns were dismissed, with one social worker texting reassurance that there were “absolutely no concerns”.

A post-mortem examination found around 40 external and internal injuries, including evidence of forcible penetration, acute upper-airway obstruction as the cause of death, and videos and images on Varley’s phone documenting the abuse. Preston’s grandmother Debbie Davey questioned whether fears of accusations of homophobia influenced social workers’ reluctance to act.

A child safeguarding practice review by Oldham Council, paused during the criminal proceedings, is now examining the handling of Preston’s case. Oldham Council has confirmed that an independent review is under way following the convictions.

Preston’s biological father Gary Nolan attended a candlelit vigil in Preston’s Flag Market on June 16 – what would have been the boy’s fourth birthday – describing four months of “terror at the hands of a monster”. Detective Chief Inspector Andy Fallows of Lancashire Police described the men as having subjected Preston to a “reign of terror” almost from the first day.