- Jamie Varley, a 37-year-old school teacher, has been handed a whole life order for the murder and sexual abuse of his adopted 13-month-old baby, Preston Davey, whom he treated as a "plaything".
- Varley and his partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, were both convicted by a jury following an eight-week trial at Preston Crown Court for sexually assaulting and physically abusing Preston.
- Preston Davey died on April 27, 2023, at their Blackpool home, following a sex assault by Varley, just four months after being adopted by the couple.
- Mr Justice Turner, in passing sentence, stated that Preston had endured "unremitting abuse" and neglect before his death, confirming Varley as the murderer during a sex attack.
- Preston had been placed into foster care by Oldham Council at five days old, having been taken from his mother, Sarah Davey, who had a history of criminal convictions.
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