Full Breakdown
Jamie Varley receives whole-life order for murder of adopted baby Preston Davey
6/19/2026, 9:32:45 PM
Sentencing
- On 18 June 2023, Mr Justice Turner gave Jamie Varley, 37, a whole-life order for murdering his adopted son, 13-month-old Preston Davey: “You will stay in prison for the whole of your life. You will never be released.” McGowan-Fazakerley received a 25-year term for allowing the death.
Abuse
- The abuse involved sexual assault, physical violence and filming. Evidence showed “hundreds if not thousands” indecent images and 40 injuries. Varley was convicted of murder, two assaults by penetration, six child-cruelty counts, grievous bodily harm, sexual assault and 13 indecent-image offences. McGowan-Fazakerley was convicted of child cruelty, sexual assault and allowing Preston’s death.
Background
- Preston, born 16 June 2022, entered care five days later and was placed with the couple after they were approved as adopters in March 2023. Social workers and health visitors visited the home, yet escalating abuse was not acted upon. Mother Sarah Davey, a convicted killer, said the system’s trust was “completely and unforgivably broken.”
Prison placement
- Officials plan to move Varley to HMP Wakefield, a “Monster Mansion”. He will start in solitary, then join a Vulnerable Prisoner wing with 24-hour monitoring. Prison staff warned, “there will be a long line of people wanting to get to him” and that “they will want him dead.” Sources differ on whether he will be on Vulnerable Prisoner wing or in segregation.
Official statements
- Karen Tonge called the case “one of the most shocking and horrific” she has handled. The government announced a review by Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel, noting they “rightly demand answers about what went wrong.” Crime journalist David Shipley urged an inquiry, saying “numerous people” in positions of responsibility should be held accountable.
Criticism
- Child-protection advocates have criticised social services for failing to intervene despite repeated hospital visits and bruising. Shipley argued that accountability should extend to prosecutions for misconduct in public office.
Data
- Convictions: 28 counts for Varley, 6 for McGowan-Fazakerley. Injuries: over 40 on Preston. Images: “hundreds if not thousands” indecent. Sentences: whole-life order (no parole) for Varley; 25-year term for McGowan-Fazakerley.
Verbatim quotes
- “Prison guards often have to look out for prisoners who have done awful things, that's literally the job.” — Prison staff source
- “Either way, it has to be taken seriously, and he is essentially on a 24-hour watch to make sure he does no harm to himself.” — Prison source
- “These are the worst. The lowest of ones.” — Rich Jones, former inmate
- “I will fight you ’til the day I die.” — Jamie Varley, police interview
What’s next
- Varley will serve his sentence at Wakefield under constant supervision while review examines the failures that allowed Preston’s abuse. Findings may reshape safeguarding protocols and prison policies for vulnerable offenders.
