Jamie Varley, a 37-year-old teacher, has been found guilty of the murder and sexual abuse of 13-month-old Preston Davey, raising serious concerns about failures in child safeguarding and social service oversight. Preston died in July 2023 following months of abuse while under the care of Varley and his partner, 32-year-old John McGowan-Fazakerley, who was also convicted for allowing the child’s death and related offenses.

The couple, who adopted Preston in April 2023 through an agency covering Lancashire, appeared outwardly stable and well-prepared for parenthood. Varley worked as a design and technology teacher and head of year, while McGowan-Fazakerley was a finance sales manager. They lived in a three-bedroom home in Blackpool. However, friends and neighbors described Varley as domineering and attention-seeking, with McGowan-Fazakerley playing a quieter, more submissive role in the relationship.

Preston had been subjected to sexual abuse and physical harm over a four-month period. During this time, the toddler was taken to the hospital multiple times with unexplained injuries, including bruising, a fractured elbow, and respiratory distress. Despite these warning signs, social workers and health professionals reportedly did not intervene effectively. Preston’s first hospital visit was in late May 2023, when a pediatric nurse noted bruises and abnormal breathing. Although the case was referred to hospital safeguarding and police, no immediate protective action was taken.

Authorities attributed some of Preston's injuries and developmental difficulties to a supposed clumsiness, in part due to a diagnosed eye condition. Social workers conducted in-person and virtual visits but concluded there were no evident safeguarding concerns. At one point, Varley admitted to a colleague that he was experiencing “dark thoughts” about harming Preston, but this information was not escalated. A head teacher who visited Varley after he reported suicidal feelings also did not observe signs of risk.

The tragedy sparked scrutiny of Oldham Council social services, which had recently been criticized in a separate case involving the neglect of a 10-year-old child. That child, under a care order for two years, had suffered severe malnutrition and scurvy, requiring hospital treatment and dental extractions. This raised questions about systemic shortcomings within the local safeguarding system.

Some insiders suggest that social workers may have been reluctant to challenge the couple due to concerns over appearing discriminatory toward same-sex parents. A social worker commented that political correctness and a tendency to see the best in prospective parents can complicate child protection efforts.

Preston’s grandmother, Debbie Davey, has openly condemned social services, stating she had requested that Preston remain with his foster family temporarily as she was undergoing cancer treatment. She expressed frustration, believing that if her wishes had been granted, Preston might still be alive.

Following Preston’s death, Varley displayed dramatic behavior at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, including collapsing and pleading with staff. He claimed Preston had drowned while left unattended, but the post-mortem found no water in the lungs and confirmed fatal injuries from blunt force trauma, including over 40 bruises and severe internal damage.

Oldham Council described Preston’s death as “particularly heart-wrenching and disturbing” and has launched an independent child safeguarding practice review to examine failings in the case.