Jamie Varley given whole-life order for murder of baby Preston Davey
Jamie Varley, a former teacher, was given a whole-life prison order for the sexual abuse and murder of his adopted 13-month-old son, Preston Davey. His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, was jailed for 25 years for allowing Preston's death. Prosecutors said Preston suffered 40 injuries after months of sexual, physical and emotional abuse before he died. A child safeguarding practice review has been launched to examine how agencies failed to protect him, heightening scrutiny of child protection checks.
Surprised there is not more government reaction to the horrific killing of Preston Davey, while clearly the fault of the vilest individuals but also the worst list I have ever seen of state failures at every level. There is no sense yet even at a local level that systems will change to respond
Jessica Elgot46I’ve barely been able to tear my thoughts away from this case. I know that will be the same for many MPs and ministers.
Re: system change : theres an ongoing Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review ongoing that will include a deep dive into multi agency failures in this case and will probably go to the national panel. The process rightfully had to pause during criminal proceedings.
Same guy different avatar9We’re in a world of culture wars now. I fear that, unless there is some culture war angle to be teased out of this terrible crime, most politicians are uninterested in commenting on it.
Rob Hughes5He doesn't seem to have been murdered by someone that Farage or Yaxley-Lennon might use as an excuse to start race riots
Angela 🐱💙 💛🌻4It's an horrific case! Let down by his biological family and then abused and murdered by monsters who adopted him 😠 Maybe the reason there is no outrage right now is the formal investigation into the agencies involved was paused whilst the criminal case was ongoing, now that is done it has resumed.
Mick3That poor jury. What they must have had to listen to and see. Horrendous.
Andrew Dilley2It's astonishing. The agencies involved, the - you'd assume - active duty of care they had in such a short time.
PhilT6022Horrific does not begin to describe it, but now the criminal trial is over, we have to hope that the investigations of ways in which the official systems may have contributed, are swift & fair? Time in prison for this pair is not going to be pleasant at all!!!
Strongly suspect "whole life" won't be much of a sentence in this instance www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Lindsay9The depravity is mind boggling. And I was a child care lawyer for decades.
Losd7I don't swear a lot. When I do, I'm fucking angry. bsky.app/profile/losd...
Doli 📎3I hope they both live long and very unhappy lives. Shortening their sentences in any way would be too merciful.
gjjonesy.bsky.social2But may it be dreadful and wretched
Nigel Ó Ceallacháin2True. But it should be. The prison system has a duty of care to all the inmates, no matter how bad their offences. Their punishment is to be deprived of liberty, not to be beaten/stabbed to death in the shower. Prison governors should be charged & jailed whenever an inmate is killed or injured.
