Teacher and partner deny murder of adopted infant at trial

A 37-year-old teacher has denied murdering and sexually abusing his 13-month-old adopted son, whom he is accused of treating as a "plaything" for his "own amusement and gratification." Jamie Varley is on trial at Preston Crown Court alongside his partner, 32-year-old John McGowan-Fazakerley, in connection with the death of Preston Davey in July 2023.

The prosecution alleges that Preston, described as previously happy and healthy, was subjected to routine sexual, physical, and emotional abuse during the four months he lived with the defendants at their home in Blackpool, Lancashire. The court heard that the infant suffered 40 traumatic injuries, and indecent images and videos were allegedly taken of him.

Preston was rushed to the hospital on July 27 after suffering a collapse and cardiac arrest, which the prosecution alleges followed a sexual assault by Varley. Varley told police he had momentarily left the child in the bath and returned to find him submerged and off his bath seat. However, a post-mortem examination ruled out drowning as the cause of death.

The medical examination determined Preston died from an acute upper airways obstruction, caused either by smothering or by an...