Baby Preston Davey's killer handed whole life order as judge tells him 'you will never be released'
Jamie Varley will die in prison for the murder and sexual abuse of the 13-month-old, while his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley was jailed for 25 years. The children's minister has ordered an independent review of Oldham Council, the adoption agency and the hospital trust.
The former teacher who murdered baby Preston Davey has been handed a whole life order, meaning he will die in prison.
High Court judge Mr Justice Turner told Jamie Varley, 37, at Preston Crown Court: "This is a case of the utmost gravity. You will stay in prison for the whole of your life. You will never be released."
His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was sentenced to 25 years. He was convicted of causing or allowing Preston's death, two counts of cruelty and sexual assault, having turned a blind eye to the abuse and taken part in a joint sexual assault on the child four days before his death.
Varley showed no emotion as the sentence was read out. Court reporter Rachel Smith, who covered the trial from start to finish, noted that the killer "ditched the suit he had worn throughout the trial" and "looked dishevelled in faded black jeans and a dark polo top. The mask of respectability was finally off."
What did Preston's birth mother say?
Sarah Davey was tearful as her victim impact statement was read on the steps of the court. She said Preston was "perfect from the moment he was born" and she "fell completely in love with him." She described him as having "the most beautiful smile, one that could light up any room."
In court, she told Varley: "I will never forgive you."
What did the foster parents say?
Foster mother Sarah Cooper said Preston's death had "changed my perspective on life." She and her husband decided to continue fostering children after his death "in his memory," despite their previous plans to retire.
What happens next?
Children's minister Josh MacAlister described the case as "shocking" and said it made him "feel sick."
"The people who committed these appalling crimes are evil, there's no other way to put it," he said. "I have asked some independent experts to go and look at Oldham, the hospital trust and the adoption agency to see whether things we already know have been acted upon."
What did police say?
DCI Andy Fallows of Lancashire Police's major investigation team said the case had been "one of the most challenging investigations" his team had undertaken.
Varley joins dozens of others who have been handed whole life orders since the sentence's introduction in 1983, including serial killers Harold Shipman, Ian Brady, Lucy Letby and Peter Sutcliffe.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What sentences did Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazakerley receive?
- Jamie Varley was handed a whole-life order, meaning he will never be released from prison. John McGowan-Fazakerley was sentenced to 25 years in prison and must serve two-thirds of his sentence before being eligible for release on licence.
- How is Oldham Council connected to the case?
- Preston Davey was placed into the care of Oldham Council shortly after his birth. At nine months old, the local authority placed him with Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley, who had been approved as adoptive parents.
- What happens next regarding the adoption process review?
- The government has commissioned independent experts to review the actions of Oldham Council, the adoption agency, and the hospital trust to determine if warning signs were missed and to prevent future tragedies.