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.
