A teacher accused of murdering and sexually abusing his adopted baby son has denied using the child as a 'plaything' for his own 'sexual gratification.' Jamie Varley, 37, is alleged to have physically, sexually, and emotionally abused 13-month-old Preston Davey, whom he adopted with his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley. Preston was found dead less than four months after moving into their home in Blackpool, Lancashire, on April 1, 2023.
Prosecution's Allegations
During cross-examination at Preston Crown Court, prosecutor Peter Wright KC said to Varley: 'This little boy was your plaything, wasn't he?' Varley replied: 'You are wrong.' Mr Wright continued: 'And you routinely abused him.' Varley repeated: 'You are wrong.' The prosecutor added: 'For your own amusement and gratification.' Varley responded: 'Incorrect.'
The Crown alleges that in the four months before his death on July 27, Preston was routinely ill-treated, had indecent images and videos taken of him, and was sexually abused and physically assaulted. A post-mortem examination found 40 traumatic injuries.
Details of the Incident
Preston was taken to hospital after suffering a collapse and cardiac arrest, allegedly following a sexual assault by Varley. Varley told police he had briefly left the child in the bath and returned to find him submerged off his bath seat. However, a post-mortem ruled out drowning and found the cause of death to be acute upper airways obstruction by smothering or objects inserted into his mouth. Parts of his anatomy showed signs consistent with 'forcible penetration' and sexual abuse.
Varley denied ever sexually assaulting Preston and rejected suggestions that he had blocked the child's airways. When Mr Wright said: 'And on the day he died such was the obstruction of his upper airways, caused by you, that he perished. You killed him,' Varley replied: 'I have not.'
Defense and Denials
Varley accused the prosecutor of giving a 'wholly false account' about finding Preston in the bath and fearing drowning. Mr Wright suggested Varley's story was 'rehearsed' and 'made up to conceal what you really did.' Varley responded: 'That's incorrect.' He added: 'I would be more intelligent, sir, if that was the case. I genuinely thought he had drowned.'
When questioned about inconsistencies in his accounts, Varley said: 'It was a very traumatic day... the worst day of our lives. I could hardly speak that day.' Mr Wright countered: 'Your apparent state of distress was a complete charade.' Varley replied: 'That's not true.'
Phone Images and Sexual Interest
The prosecutor suggested that images on Varley's phone demonstrated repeated ill-treatment and that he recorded Preston playing with his genitals for 'your own sexual gratification.' Varley denied this, saying: 'You are 100% wrong. I found it to be funny.' Mr Wright further alleged that by July 2023, Varley's partner McGowan-Fazakerley also had a sexual interest in Preston. Varley insisted: 'John and I don't have a sexual interest in children.'
Varley denied being 'struggling to cope' with Preston or losing his temper, stating: 'I would give anything for that boy.' He maintained that Preston was 'in a safe and loving home. He loved us and we loved him.'
Charges and Trial
Varley denies murder, manslaughter, two counts of assault by penetration, five counts of cruelty to a child, grievous bodily harm, sexual assault of a child, 13 counts of taking indecent photos or videos of a child, one of distributing an indecent photo, and one of making an indecent photo. McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, denies allowing the death of a child, three counts of child cruelty, and one count of sexual assault of a child. The trial was adjourned until 10am on Thursday.
