Teacher and partner convicted of murder and abuse of child

A high school teacher and his partner have been convicted for their roles in the death and abuse of their 13-month-old adopted son, Preston Davey, following a trial at Preston Crown Court. Jamie Varley, 37, was found guilty of murder, multiple sexual offences, and child cruelty. His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was convicted of allowing the death of a child, child cruelty, and sexual assault.

The jury returned 29 guilty verdicts after a trial lasting over seven weeks. Varley collapsed to his knees and vomited in the dock as the verdicts were read, while McGowan-Fazakerley showed no reaction. Preston's mother and grandmother wept in the courtroom. Sentencing for both men is scheduled for Thursday.

Preston died on July 27, 2023, after being rushed to Blackpool Victoria Hospital unconscious and in cardiac arrest. Varley initially claimed the child had accidentally drowned in a bath. However, a post-mortem examination revealed Preston had suffered acute upper airway obstruction, indicating he had been smothered or had an object forced into his mouth. The examination also documented 40 separate internal and external injuries, which prosecutors described as non-accidental and...