Adoptive parents 'hid abused baby from foster mum', jury told

The foster mother of a baby boy has told a court she had a "gut feeling" something was wrong before the 13-month-old was allegedly sexually abused and murdered by his adoptive parents. Sandra Cooper and her husband had fostered Preston from after his birth until he was 10 months old, Preston Crown Court heard. In April 2023, he went to live with high school teacher Jamie Varley, 37, and his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, but Cooper told the jury she was "worried" and felt the men were "hiding" Preston from her when she tried to visit. Varley is accused of killing and abusing Preston, and McGowan-Fazakerley is accused of allowing his death and assaulting him. Both men deny all the charges. The court heard Preston was taken into care at five days old after he was born in June 2022. Cooper said of the youngster: "He was beautiful, he was happy, he laughed, he smiled really early. "Just a really lovable baby. He loved cuddles. He was just having a really nice life." In just under the next four months after his adoption at the defendants' home in Blackpool, the prosecution allege that Preston was routinely ill-treated, had indecent images and videos taken of him, was sexually abus

Apr 22, 2026 → Apr 22, 2026