WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT: Friends of the Jamie Varley – the teacher who murdered a tiny toddler he intended to adopt – have revealed how the depraved killer would put on a ‘super friendly guy’ act
The man who brutally abused a tiny toddler for months before killing him has been exposed by friends as a ‘Jekyll & Hyde’ character. The sickening abuse Preston Davey, 1, was subjected to by his “pure evil” foster parents has shocked the nation.
Jamie Varley, 37, and his boyfriend, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, were described as treating Preston as their personal “plaything”, during a four month spell that saw them physically, sexually and psychologically torment an already vulnerable child placed in their care.
The tiny tot was eventually killed by Varley who was found guilty of murder, child cruelty, sexual offences and indecent images. John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was also found guilty of allowing the death of a child, child cruelty and sexual assault. The pair are due to be sentenced on Thursday.
Now, friends of Varley have spoken out about how the teacher tricked them into thinking he was a “friendly guy”. A source told the Sun: “He put on this front of being this super friendly guy who was a popular teacher and totally together, but there was always something quite dark about him.
“Behind closed doors, Varley definitely wore the trousers. As a group of pals, we certainly got the impression John was pretty cowed by Jamie, who we suspected was a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde character.
The source added: “He was overbearing and dominated everything wherever he went. Just pretty arrogant really.
“We’re absolutely horrified by what’s happened. Everyone thought Varley was a bit of a pain in the a*** but what they’ve done is just stomach-churning.”
It comes as little Preston’s biological dad has said his murdered son endured months of “terror at the hands of a monster” as hundreds gathered for a candlelit vigil to mark what would have been the toddler’s fourth birthday.
Gary Nolan paid tribute to Preston Davey in Preston’s Flag Market on Wednesday evening, joining family, friends and well-wishers in remembering the little boy who died at the hands of his adoptive father in July 2023.
The 13-month-old was killed by teacher Jamie Varley, 37, from Blackpool, Lancashire. Varley’s partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was also convicted of sexual assault, child cruelty and allowing the death of a child. The pair are due to be sentenced on Thursday.
Speaking to BBC North West Tonight, Nolan described the pain of marking his son’s birthday without him and his anger towards the men responsible. He said: “My son went through four months of terror at the hands of a monster,” he said.
“My son should be alive today on his birthday and not dead.” Preston was born in June 2022 and was taken into care by Oldham Council shortly after birth.
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