A disturbing new video has surfaced showing Jamie Varley defiantly declaring to the police that he would resist them “to the end of my life” when questioned about the appalling offenses he perpetrated against the innocent victim, Preston Davey.
Varley, a 37-year-old teacher from Blackpool, was convicted on Monday of sexually assaulting and murdering the 13-month-old child, whom he and his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley, a 32-year-old sales manager, had adopted in 2023. The trial at Preston Crown Court resulted in their conviction on charges of sexual abuse, child neglect, and contributing to the child’s death. Varley, described as a “manipulator,” claimed during the trial that the baby died accidentally in the bathtub.
Footage presented in court captured the moment Varley, a teacher, adamantly resisted police accusations during an interview, asserting that he had not harmed the infant. The video, released by Lancashire Police, shows Varley sitting with arms crossed in a police interrogation room as an officer questions him off-camera. The officer suggests that Varley had killed the child, to which Varley vehemently responds that he would challenge the accusation until his dying day, insisting on his innocence.
Following the jury’s verdict, Varley was found guilty of murdering Preston, along with multiple counts of assault, cruelty, and sexual abuse against the child. McGowan-Fazakerley was also convicted of negligence leading to the child’s death and various other charges related to child abuse.
Varley had taken a break from his role as a high school head of year to welcome Preston into their home when the child was just nine months old. Tragically, within the first four months under their care, Preston suffered severe abuse, including sexual assault and physical harm, with indecent images and videos taken of him.
The court learned that Preston displayed 40 injuries indicative of trauma. Despite multiple visits to the hospital with suspicious bruises, Preston’s suffering went unnoticed. His final trip to the hospital on July 27, 2023, proved fatal, with Varley claiming he found the child submerged in the bath after leaving him momentarily. Medical efforts to save Preston’s life were unsuccessful, with Varley’s behavior at the hospital raising suspicions among medical staff.
Post-mortem examination revealed the true extent of Preston’s injuries, ruling out drowning as the cause of death. The examination exposed evidence of severe physical and sexual abuse, including signs of forcible penetration and asphyxiation resulting in upper airways obstruction.
During the investigation, detectives uncovered Varley’s disturbing confessions and messages indicating his dark intentions towards Preston. Shocking images and videos showing the child’s mistreatment were recovered, painting a grim picture of the abuse inflicted on Preston by Varley.
Detective Chief Inspector Andy Fallows described Varley as a manipulative and deceitful individual who tried to manipulate the narrative surrounding Preston’s tragic death. Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley are set to receive their sentencing on Thursday.