Jamie Varley denies murdering and sexually abusing baby Preston Davey. WARNING: This article contains details some readers might find distressing
20:16, 12 May 2026Updated 20:26, 12 May 2026
Jamie Varley(Image: X)
A former teacher accused of the sexual assault and murder of his adoptive baby son told police officers he would ‘fight ’til the day I die’ to prove his innocence, a jury has been told.
Jamie Varley, 37, claimed that 13-month-old Preston Davey drowned after being left alone in the bath at their home in Staining Avenue, Blackpool, on July 27, 2023, Preston Crown Court heard.
But Home Office Pathologist Dr Alison Armour found there was no evidence the baby had drowned and there was no natural cause of death. Instead, she said Preston was ‘the victim of abusive trauma, non accidental injuries and sexual abuse’, Lancs Live reported.
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In a recorded police interview, played to the jury, Mr Varley said Dr Armour’s conclusion that Preston had been smothered and subjected to a forceful sexual assault was ‘bulls**t’. He also said the pathologist ‘needs to be in a different job.’
Preston was carried into Blackpool Victoria Hospital in cardiac and respiratory arrest at 6.20pm. Medics worked on him for an hour but were unable to save him. He had more than 40 internal and external injuries, many of which were ‘non-accidental’, the court heard.
In June 2025, Mr Varley was rearrested on suspicion of murder, GBH, and sexual offences against the baby. He said neither he nor his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, were responsible for the bruises to Preston’s body and told officers injuries to Preston’s mouth and throat were ‘possibly caused by the hospital’, the court heard.
Preston Davey
In a recorded interview, played in court, the officer said: “Preston had only reached the age of one year, one month and 11 days. He was only in your care for four months before he died.
“There is no evidence of natural causes to account for Preston’s death. Acute upper airway obstruction caused his collapse and he has been sexually assaulted.
“Preston was in your care. What have you done to him? I’m going to suggest you killed him’.”
Mr Varley replied: “You make that suggestion and I’ll fight you till the day I die.
“One day you guys are going to be in big trouble because you are absolutely wrong. I don’t know how I’m going to prove it but you are absolutely wrong because I have not done it.”
Officers also quizzed the former head of year at South Shore Academy about nude photographs of Preston recovered from his phone. Pictures of Preston in the bath and on his playmat appear to focus on the baby’s genitals, the prosecution say.
But Mr Varley said: “You’ve got it down like I’m a bloody pervert or something like that. It’s ridiculous.”
He claimed he had taken the photos to show Preston when he was 18 or 21, claiming: “It’s for him when he gets older. I didn’t feel there was anything wrong with it. My intentions were innocent.”
Varley is accused of murder; sexual assault of a child under 13; inflicting grievous bodily harm; five counts of child cruelty; and further counts of making, taking and distributing indecent images.
McGowan-Fazackerley is accused of causing or allowing the death of a child; two counts of child cruelty; and sexual assault of a child under 13.
Both men deny the allegations. The trial continues.