Couple convicted in death of 13-month-old infant in Britain

Jamie Varley, 37, and his partner, 32-year-old John McGowan-Fazakerley, were found guilty at Preston Crown Court regarding the death of 13-month-old Preston Davey in July 2023. Preston was born in June 2022 and had been under the care of Oldham Council before being adopted by the couple in April 2023. While Varley initially claimed the infant drowned accidentally in a bathtub, a post-mortem examination revealed 40 distinct injuries. The court heard that the child suffered systematic physical and sexual abuse during the four months he lived with the couple. McGowan-Fazakerley was convicted of sexual abuse, child cruelty, and neglect leading to death. The infant's biological mother, Sarah Davey, had a previous criminal record including a 1998 conviction for murder. The court heard 29 separate counts against the defendants, and their sentencing is scheduled for Thursday. Preston had spent the first 10 months of his life with foster parents after being removed from his mother's care at five days old.