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Preston Davey

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Former teacher accused of killing adopted baby 'Preston' in Blackpool
Developing
Crime·4/28/2026AI summary

Former teacher accused of killing adopted baby 'Preston' in Blackpool

A former teacher and his partner are on trial accused of murdering an adopted baby who suffered 40 traumatic injuries before dying in hospital on 27 July 2023. The court heard defendant Varley texted his sister calling the infant 'dead meat' and later told his mother the child was 'murdered' weeks before the baby's death. The 10-month-old baby was adopted by the couple in Blackpool and had been taken into care by Oldham Council at five days old.

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BBC News
Former Teacher Accused of Murdering 13-Month-Old Adopted Baby
Developing
Crime·4/21/2026AI summary

Former Teacher Accused of Murdering 13-Month-Old Adopted Baby

A former high school teacher Jamie Varley, 37, is on trial at Preston Crown Court accused of murdering his 13-month-old adopted son Preston Davey, along with 25 charges of sexual and physical abuse. The court heard Varley told a work colleague a month before the child's death that he had 'dark thoughts' about drowning or suffocating the boy, who suffered 40 traumatic injuries. His partner John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, is charged with causing or allowing the child's death. Both deny all charges.

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BBC News
Teacher and Partner Face Murder Trial for Fatal Abuse of Baby They Were Adopting
Developing
Crime·4/20/2026AI summary

Teacher and Partner Face Murder Trial for Fatal Abuse of Baby They Were Adopting

A 9-month-old baby boy placed for adoption with a Blackpool couple was allegedly murdered by his prospective adoptive father, a teacher, after being subjected to months of routine abuse. Jamie Varley, 37, and John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, face multiple charges including murder and child cruelty. The baby died in August 2023 after suffering approximately 40 traumatic injuries.

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Guardian UK
Teacher and partner accused of murdering baby they were adopting
NEWS
4/20/2026AI summary

Teacher and partner accused of murdering baby they were adopting

A 37-year-old teacher and his 32-year-old partner are on trial at Preston Crown Court for the murder of a 9-month-old baby they were in the process of adopting. Jamie Varley faces murder and 25 other charges; John McGowan-Fazakerley faces allowing the death of a child and four other offences. The baby, Preston Davey, was placed with the couple in April 2023 and died four months later with approximately 40 traumatic injuries including 30 external bruises. The prosecution says he was "routinely ill-treated, sexually abused and physically assaulted" before being killed.

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Guardian UK
Adoptive Father Accused of Sexually Abusing and Smothering 13-Month-Old Baby
Developing
Crime·4/20/2026AI summary

Adoptive Father Accused of Sexually Abusing and Smothering 13-Month-Old Baby

A former high school teacher Jamie Varley, 37, and his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, are on trial at Preston Crown Court accused of sexually abusing and murdering a 13-month-old baby boy they adopted. Preston Davey died on 27 July 2023 at Blackpool Victoria Hospital after suffering approximately 40 traumatic injuries over four months. The prosecution alleges Varley smothered the child and committed sexual assault, while McGowan-Fazakerley failed to protect the baby. Both defendants deny all charges.

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BBC News