Teacher Accused of Murdering Adopted Baby Denies Abuse

Jamie Varley, a teacher accused of murdering his adopted baby Preston Davey, begged medics don't let him die after bringing the unconscious 13-month-old to Blackpool Victoria Hospital on July 27, 2023. According to court testimony, medical staff worked for nearly an hour attempting resuscitation before pronouncing the child dead at 19:18 BST.

The jury at Preston Crown Court heard that Varley told police he found Preston half in, half out of the water after allegedly falling from a bath chair into two inches of water. The defendant claimed he panicked and attempted to revive the child before driving him to the hospital with his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley.

Medical professionals testified they saw no signs that Preston had drowned or ingested water. Dr Wendy Aubrey, a senior anaesthetist, stated there was no water in his lungs, while emergency consultant Dr Anthony Kearns confirmed the child was completely dry with an appropriately placed nappy.

The prosecution alleges that during the four months Preston was under their care, he suffered routine ill-treatment, sexual abuse, and physical assault. A post-mortem examination identified 40 injuries on the baby's body. Both Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley face multiple charges including murder, child cruelty, and sexual abuse.

In a police interrogation video shown to the court, Varley denied abusing Preston Davey and claimed he could not recall taking a Snapchat video of the baby struggling to breathe about an hour and 45 minutes before rushing him to the hospital. When questioned about multiple bruises on the child's body, Varley replied: I don't believe he had that many bruises. He has not been abused. He hasn't.

Varley claimed he left Preston temporarily alone in the bath and returned to find him partially under the water. The detective described the Snapchat video as distressing, showing the child lying on a bed struggling to breathe. Varley said he thought the baby was having a seizure, as he had done before.

Varley denied any sexual motivation behind Preston's injuries, stating: Absolutely not. No. He maintained that they did not cause Preston's death, whom he had renamed Elijah. Both defendants deny all charges including murder, manslaughter, child cruelty, and sexual abuse.

The trial continues with both Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley maintaining their innocence against all charges.