Teacher accused of murdering adopted baby told police ‘I’ll fight you til the day I die’ – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Pixabay)
Preston – A high school teacher accused of murdering his 13-month-old adopted son told police he would fight the charges until his dying day, jurors at Preston Crown Court heard during the ongoing trial. Jamie Varley, 37, and his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, face multiple charges over the death of Preston Davey in July 2023 after the toddler had been in their care for just four months. The court was shown video of Varley’s police interviews in which he repeatedly denied any wrongdoing while being confronted with post-mortem findings.
The Events Leading to Preston’s Death
Prosecutors allege that Preston suffered repeated physical assaults, sexual abuse and neglect while living with the couple at their home in Blackpool. On the evening of July 27, 2023, the men rushed the unconscious child to Blackpool hospital around 6.20pm. Medical staff attempted resuscitation for nearly an hour but could not revive him. Varley told officers he had left the toddler alone in the bath for three or four minutes and returned to find him drowned.
Confrontation in the Police Interview
Detectives showed Varley the conclusions of Home Office pathologist Dr Alison Armour during a recorded interview played to the jury. The pathologist found no evidence of drowning or natural disease and instead determined the cause of death was upper airway obstruction, possibly from smothering or an object placed in the mouth. Varley responded with “No comment” to many questions and described some findings as “bullshit.” When pressed on whether he had killed the child, he raised his voice and said he had not done it and would fight the allegations to the day he died.
Additional Allegations of Abuse
The court also heard details of videos and photographs recovered from Varley’s phone that prosecutors say show Preston in distress or in indecent poses. One recording captured the child left alone in a bath for more than 14 minutes. Varley explained he had set up the phone to observe how the toddler reacted to being by himself. He denied any sexual motive and insisted the images were innocent attempts to document the child’s life. Both defendants continue to deny all charges against them.
Current Status of the Case
Varley faces counts including murder, manslaughter, assault by penetration, child cruelty, grievous bodily harm and multiple indecent image offences. McGowan-Fazakerley is charged with allowing the child’s death, child cruelty and sexual assault of a child. The trial is scheduled to continue with further evidence on Wednesday morning.