Disturbing Reality Behind Social Media Facade
In the months following the adoption of Preston Davey, Jamie Varley's social media portrayed an image of a devoted family life, but the truth was far more disturbing and grim.
Preston endured months of severe physical, sexual, and emotional abuse inflicted by Varley, who was entrusted with his care.
After an eight-week trial at Preston Crown Court, Varley, who claimed Preston had accidentally drowned in the bath, was convicted of murdering him.
The 37-year-old teacher, also found guilty of sexually abusing his adopted son, received a whole life order, ensuring he will remain in prison indefinitely except under exceptional compassionate circumstances.
His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was sentenced to 25 years after being convicted of allowing the death of a child, child cruelty, and sexual abuse.
"They've tried to present as the perfect family, living in the perfect home, having the perfect lives,"said Detective Chief Inspector Andy Fallows, the senior investigating officer from Lancashire Police.
"Instagram ready, aren't they?"
Varley's social media featured images of himself, his pristine home, a successful career, and their miniature pinscher dog Maximus, whom the couple appeared to cherish.
"Everything's on social media, everything is brilliant, and I think if you scrape away the veneer of that you come to something that is entirely different.
Everything wasn't good within the household.
There were clearly arguments, bickering, clearly issues about long hours at work."
Preston was taken into care immediately after his birth on 16 June 2022 and placed with foster parents at five days old.
His mother, Sarah Davey, now 42, had been imprisoned at age 14 for the murder of a frail pensioner in 1998 and had a history of repeated incarcerations.
Preston was adopted at nine months old in April 2023 by Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley.
The couple celebrated with a "Chosen Shower" featuring cake, decorations, and a balloon arch. Varley painted a mural in the living room bearing the name "Preston Elijah," the name they chose for him.
The pair met in late 2018 on Canal Street in Manchester's gay village and had always aspired to start a family.
They lived together in Blackpool, Lancashire, and began the adoption process in December 2021, receiving approval in January 2023.
At that time, they agreed Varley would take a year off work to care for Preston.
Varley initially worked at South Shore Academy as a design and technology technician before training to become a teacher between 2019 and 2021. He also held roles as a designated safeguarding lead and head of year.
McGowan-Fazakerley was employed as a sales manager in finance.
Messages presented to the jury revealed Varley's struggles as a new parent. On 17 April 2023, he replied to a message asking, "How is being a father treating you?" with:
"It's great. Exhausting and not have a decent nights sleep. I knew it would be hard but this is something else.
He wakes up almost every two hours and have a screaming paddy which takes almost a hour to get him back to sleep xx."
On 21 June, Varley admitted to experiencing "anxiety and maybe a little bit of post adoption depression" but added:
"Didn't reliable [SIC] that was a thing unless [SIC] a doctor said. I'll be alright."
However, Fallows noted that while Varley struggled as any new parent might, his difficulties extended beyond that.
"The picture they tried to present to the outside world was one of respectability,"he said.
"The truth is far more sinister and darker than that."
After Preston moved into the couple's home, he suffered multiple non-accidental injuries including bruising, seizures, respiratory failures, and anatomical abnormalities.
In the months preceding his death, Preston was admitted to hospital three times: first for a nosebleed and seizure, second for a rash and bruising, and third for a fractured left elbow.
On 27 July, Varley brought Preston to Blackpool Victoria Hospital for the last time.
Varley told medical staff he had left Preston in the bath for two or three minutes and found him submerged upon return.
However, Preston was dry and showed no signs of having inhaled water.
Medical personnel were unable to revive Preston, who was pronounced dead at the hospital.
A post-mortem examination revealed 40 external and internal injuries, some consistent with forcible penetration and sexual abuse, ruling out drowning as the cause of death.
"I think Jamie Varley has sought to deceive right from day one,"said Fallows.
"The reality is he's concealed, he's lied, his account is, or was, wholly inconsistent and disbelievable.
He is a serial manipulator and a serial liar, and his defence has basically been everybody else is wrong, and that's happened on numerous occasions.
I don't see any evidence of regret, remorse, or actual sorrow for Preston Davey.
I think any tears have been around Jamie Varley, an arrogant, self-centred liar."
