WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT: Baby Preston Davey was carried into Blackpool Victoria Hospital in cardiac arrest and died a short time later – his adopted father Jamie Varley is accused of his murder
A baby who tragically died following alleged physical, emotional and sexual abuse had ‘a human bite mark’ on his bottom six weeks before his untimely death, a court heard today.
Preston Davey was rushed into Blackpool Victoria Hospital in cardiac arrest at 6.20pm on July 27, 2023. Despite the best efforts of medical staff for an hour, he could not be saved and was declared dead at 7.20pm.
Preston’s adoptive father Jamie Varley, 37, stands accused of his murder. His partner John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, is charged with causing or allowing his death. Both men plead not guilty to the charges, as well as additional counts of child cruelty and sexual assault.
Today, Preston Crown Court heard from expert witness Dr Alison Armour, a forensic Home Office pathologist with 39 years experience. She conducted a post-mortem examination on baby Preston and determined the cause of his death was acute upper airways obstruction, caused by either smothering or an object being inserted into his mouth.
In addition to the autopsy, which revealed more than 40 separate internal and external injuries, the pathologist was asked to review a number of videos and photographs taken from the defendants’ mobile phones, reports Lancs Live.
One photo, captured on June 12, 2023, depicted the tot playing naked in a paddling pool in the back garden of their home in Staining Avenue, Preston. However, a close-up revealed a round bruise, approximately one inch in diameter, on the little boy’s right buttock.
There was an unmarked area of skin in the middle of the circular mark.
‘It is my view that this most likely represents a human bite mark’, Dr Armour said.
Taking the stand, Dr Armour provided the jury with a comprehensive breakdown of the marks and injuries she discovered while conducting the post mortem examination of Preston’s body. She pointed to ‘fingertip bruises’ suggesting gripping, pinching or prodding, and a mark on his thigh compatible with a slap.
Internal bruising to his throat was ‘highly unusual’ and was most probably inflicted within hours of Preston’s death. Yet she dismissed the possibility it had been caused during resuscitation efforts as he did not have a heartbeat – and therefore would not have bruised – when he was intubated in hospital, she informed the jury.
During the examination, at Royal Preston Hospital, the pathologist evaluated the account provided that Preston had drowned in the bath. She discovered no water in Preston’s stomach or lungs and stated there was no evidence to back that explanation for the baby’s collapse and death.
She also excluded any natural cause, infection or genetic condition. Rather she identified multiple indicators of asphyxiation to support her conclusions Preston had suffocated.
A video, captured on Mr Varley’s phone at 4.45pm on the day Preston died showed the little boy ‘clearly very unwell’, she said. He appeared unresponsive and his breathing was half the rate that would be expected of a child his age. The pathologist also stated that injuries to the baby’s pelvic organs were unnatural, and were likely to have been inflicted within hours of his death.
Varley is charged with murder; sexual assault of a child under 13; inflicting grievous bodily harm; five counts of child cruelty; and additional counts of making, taking and distributing indecent images.
McGowan-Fazackerley is accused of causing or allowing the death of a child; two counts of child cruelty; and sexual assault of a child under 13.
Both men deny the allegations.