Behind the facade of Jamie Varley, the ‘wicked, arrogant liar’ who abused and murdered his baby son

The Guardian World Monday 15 June 2026, 19:39 UTC By Mark Brown, Hannah Al-Othman and Raphael Boyd 1 min read

Key Points

Varley presented himself in court as a doting dad to Preston Davey but prosecution said he used adopted boy as a sexual ‘plaything’‘They were an ordinary couple,” said one neighbour. Their baby “was happy, he was smiley, he was beautiful,” said a friend. There were nobig concerns about the teacher and the sales manager who were doing what thousands do every year – adopting a child.

Varley presented himself in court as a doting dad to Preston Davey but prosecution said he used adopted boy as a sexual ‘plaything’

‘They were an ordinary couple,” said one neighbour. Their baby “was happy, he was smiley, he was beautiful,” said a friend. There were nobig concerns about the teacher and the sales manager who were doing what thousands do every year – adopting a child.

In reality, Jamie Varley and his partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, were child abusers and Varley murdered the baby boy they adopted, Preston Davey, when he was 13 months old.

Jamie Varley (PERSON) Varley (PERSON) Preston Davey (PERSON) nobig (ORG) John McGowan-Fazakerley (PERSON)

Originally published by The Guardian World Read original →

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