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Blackpool baby's injuries not caused by medics, murder trial told

Injuries to a baby who was allegedly sexually abused and murdered by one of his adoptive parents were not caused during attempts to save his life, a jury has been told. Preston Davey, aged 13 months, was rushed to Blackpool Victoria Hospital unresponsive by former teacher Jamie Varley and his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley on 27 July 2023, Preston Crown Court heard. Varley told police he had left Preston in the bath for three or four minutes and then found him submerged in the water. Home Office pathologist Dr Alison Armour ruled out drowning as a cause of death, with a post-mortem examination revealing he had suffered about 40 injuries, including 30 external bruises, internal bruising and a fractured arm. Medics worked for nearly an hour trying to resuscitate Preston before he was declared dead, the court heard. During the four months Preston was at the defendants' Blackpool home, it is alleged he was routinely ill-treated and had indecent images and videos taken of him. The prosecution also say he was sexually abused and physically assaulted. Armour described some of Preston's injuries as "most unusual", including what she thought was a bruise consistent with a human bite mark o

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May 28, 2026
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May 14, 2026 → May 28, 2026

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May 28, 2026·BBCT2 · Outlet report
Jamie Varley tells murder trial adopted baby had 'brilliant life with us'

A teacher accused of sexually abusing and murdering his adopted son has told a court the infant had "a brilliant life" with him and his partner, and his love for the child could "never be taken away". Jamie Varley, 37, who is accused of…

Read original at BBC →
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May 28, 2026·BBCT2 · Outlet reportLATEST
Jamie Varley tells murder trial adopted baby had 'brilliant life with us'

A teacher accused of sexually abusing and murdering his adopted son has told a court the infant had "a brilliant life" with him and his partner, and his love for the child could "never be taken away". Jamie Varley, 37,…

Read original at BBC →
May 19, 2026·BBCT2 · Outlet reportKEY MOMENT
Preston Davey trial hears father could not account for injuries

A man accused of sexually abusing a baby allegedly murdered by his partner told police he never harmed the child, a court heard. John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, is accused of causing or allowing the death of Preston Davey,…

Read original at BBC →
May 14, 2026·BBCT2 · Outlet reportOPENING
Blackpool baby's injuries not caused by medics, murder trial told

Injuries to a baby who was allegedly sexually abused and murdered by one of his adoptive parents were not caused during attempts to save his life, a jury has been told. Preston Davey, aged 13 months, was rushed to…

Read original at BBC →

Sources & evidence (3)

What this story stands on. Tier 0 is a primary record or the subject's own words; higher tiers must be attributed, never stated as bare fact.

T2 · Outlet report× 3
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T2 · Outlet reportBBCMay 28, 2026

A teacher accused of sexually abusing and murdering his adopted son has told a court the infant had "a brilliant life" with him and his partner, and his love for the child could "never be taken away". Jamie Varley, 37, who is accused of…

View source →
T2 · Outlet reportBBCMay 19, 2026

A man accused of sexually abusing a baby allegedly murdered by his partner told police he never harmed the child, a court heard. John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, is accused of causing or allowing the death of Preston Davey, aged 13 months,…

View source →
T2 · Outlet reportBBCMay 14, 2026

Injuries to a baby who was allegedly sexually abused and murdered by one of his adoptive parents were not caused during attempts to save his life, a jury has been told. Preston Davey, aged 13 months, was rushed to Blackpool Victoria…

View source →

Tier key: T0 = Primary source · T1 = Wire · T2 = Outlet report · T3 = Commentary

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