Jamie Varley
Born (1989-03-11) March 11, 1989 (age 37)
OccupationTeacher
EmployerSouth Shore Academy
Criminal status
Convicted
Convictions
  • Murder (1 count)
  • Child Cruelty (5 counts)
  • Sexual Assault of a Child (1 count)
  • Grievous Bodily Harm (1 count)
  • taking indecent photos or videos of a child (13 counts)
  • distributing an indecent photo of a child (1 count)
  • making an indecent photo (1 count)
Criminal penalty
Life imprisonment
Details
Victims1
Killed1

Jamie Varley (born 12 April 1989) is a convicted murder and former teacher.[1][2]

Biography

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Jamie Varley was born on 12 April 1989.[1] During childhood, Varley had always dreamed of becoming a teacher.[3] Varley worked at South Shore Academy in blackpool, he started as school technician and later became a teacher at the school.[3] Jamie Varley met his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley in 2018, they began living together that same year.[4] Varly and his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley began the process of adopting a baby in late 2021.[4] In early 2023 Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley adopted Preston Davey.[4]

Trial and conviction

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On 13 June 2025 Varley was charged with the Murder of a 13 month baby, among other charges.[1] Varley and his partner first went on trial on 20 April 2026, however this trial was abandoned 4 days later.[3][5] Varley was convicted of the murder of Preston Davey among other charges at his second trial.[2][3][6] On 18 June 2026 Varley was sentenced to a life in prison with a whole life order.[7][8]

References

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  1. 1 2 3 "CPS authorises charges against two men following death of 13-month-old boy in Blackpool". Crown Prosecution Service. 13 June 2025. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  2. 1 2 Stanley, Emma; Lazaro, Rachael (15 June 2026). "Teacher guilty of abusing and murdering adopted baby boy". BBC News. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Brown, Mark; Al-Othman, Hannah; Boyd, Raphael (15 June 2026). "Behind the facade of Jamie Varley, the 'wicked, arrogant liar' who abused and murdered his baby son". Crime. The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
  4. 1 2 3 Evens, Martin (16 June 2026). "The eight missed opportunities to save baby Preston". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  5. "Adoptive father 'sexually abused and smothered baby'". BBC News. 20 April 2026. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  6. "Former teacher guilty of sexually abusing and murdering baby boy he wanted to adopt". Crown Prosecution Service. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  7. Brown, Mark (18 June 2026). "Whole life order given to UK teacher who sexually abused and murdered adopted baby". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  8. Bolton, Will (18 June 2026). "Baby Preston killer given whole life order". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 18 June 2026.