WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT: Jamie Varley was handed a whole life order and John McGowan-Fazakerley sentenced to 25 years for the murder of 13-month-old Preston Davey, who they adopted before subjecting him to abuse
The evil adopted dad’s of Preston Davey’s will be “utterly naive” to the horrors of prison as they enter at the bottom of the “hierarchy of morality” on the inside, according to an ex-inmate.
The 13-month-old boy tragically lost his life at the hands of his monstrous adoptive father Jamie Varley, after enduring months of sexual abuse, physical violence and psychological torment. Varley’s partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, also played a role in Preston’s death, participating in the horrific abuse.
This week, Varley received a whole life order for his heinous crimes – a sentence so rare it is reserved for the most vile individuals. McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was sentenced to 25 years for allowing the death of a child, child cruelty and sexual assault of a child. He will serve a minimum of 16 years behind bars.
Having shown no remorse in court, the evil couple are set for a harsh reality check about how paedophiles and child killers are treated in prison, a convicted murderer spoke exclusively to the Mirror.
Steve Gallant may now be a reformed man, having been released from prison and awarded a Queen’s Gallantry Medal for his role in thwarting the notorious London Bridge attacker while on day release.
However, he knows all too well the grim reality of life behind bars, having spent 16 years in prison alongside some of the country’s most dangerous criminals.
He said Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley will be seen at the very bottom of the hierarchy in jail. “Neither of them have got previous convictions, which means they are utterly naive to what they can expect to happen.
“The gangster or the armed robber is at the top of that hierarchy, but the sex offender, or somebody who might be called a ‘grass’, will be at the bottom of the pile and they’ll be treated badly throughout the system. This hierarchy of morality has been around for a long time.”
Due to the nature of their crimes, the twisted pair will probably be housed in a vulnerable prisoner unit within a Category A jail – where criminals convicted of the most brutal and severe offences are locked up.
This means they’ll be transported around the facility away from the main population and will utilise separate areas, including their own visiting facilities. However, this doesn’t guarantee they’ll be protected from assaults.
“There’s still a hierarchy that exists there,” Steve cautions. “Ian Huntley was on a similar unit in Frankland. Even in those environments, they’re not safe.
“There will be staff around them, but when you step into the Cat A prisons where these two will end up going, the vulnerability and the dangerousness of those types of prisons is such that even those on VP units are very hostile towards each other.”
Both will probably be placed under suicide monitoring following their sentencing, though Steve warns this likely won’t shield them from violence either.
“I was convicted many, many years ago and put on suicide watch, but I wasn’t segregated. I was still able to mingle, there was no extra surveying of me. It just meant someone would come to my cell and ask me if I was OK and then they’d leave again. So it doesn’t really add much to the protection.
“Prisons are very violent places, very hostile. Right across the board, no matter what prison you’re in, there’s violence everywhere. I’m not saying that just to play it up. You’re talking about people with some serious issues, confined in a very small space for years on end, and that creates a very volatile situation.”
Assaults in Category A jails are frequently carried out using makeshift weapons, Steve reveals, because “people have time on their hands”. Handmade shivs, a type of crude blade, are fashioned by honing the tip of objects.
The former inmate explains that during his imprisonment, snooker cues were strictly supervised and had to be returned following games to prevent them being filed down for attacks.
“There’s also hot water,” Steve reveals. “Everyone has a kettle in their cell. Small kettle for probably about two cups worth. These kettles are designed not to reach excessive boiling temperatures, but they’re still obviously very, very hot. I mean, you get that thrown on you and would get scarred quite badly.”
Discussing the destiny that Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley might encounter at the bottom of the prison pecking order, Steve says: “They’ll be ostracised in different ways anyway because of their offence, but I think if they do anything to upset somebody, that will certainly increase the chances of them being attacked, because they are already vulnerable and very likely to be disliked.
“No one’s going to support them. No one is going to back them up. These wings are full of people with very predatorial tendencies – if they see weakness, they’ll go for it. So if you’re isolated on your own, you’re vulnerable.”
The duo aren’t expected to make any allies inside, much like Ian Huntley, who Steve highlights was “naturally reviled” due to the nature of his offences and how prominent his case became.
He added: “Varley is going to be very, very vulnerable, even on the VP unit, because of what he did to that child, make no mistake about it. And my assumption is that at some point he’s probably going to get targeted.”
Steve also suggests that it’s improbable the pair will be compelled to pay for protection while they stay on a VP unit.
Following sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Andy Fallows, the officer charged with leading the devastating murder inquiry, stated: “Jamie Varley is an evil and monstrous individual who sexually, physically and mentally abused a vulnerable baby for his own sadistic pleasure.
“It was this abuse that ultimately led to little baby Preston’s death. I struggle to imagine the horror that Preston endured in his short life. A Child Safeguarding Practice Review will recommence now that the criminal proceedings have concluded, investigating any potential missed opportunities that could have saved Preston’s life.”
The NSPCC commented on the horrifying case: “This trial and sentencing hearing have revealed the full extent of the pain and suffering endured by Preston Davey in his short life. To learn of the abuse inflicted on him by Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley before his murder is harrowing and deeply upsetting, and it must drive thorough and meaningful review and scrutiny.
“.There are clearly important lessons from this terrible case, and the Child Safeguarding Practice Review must establish whether more could have been done to protect Preston, and how we can learn from any failings to prevent future tragedies where possible. “. “At the same time, it is vital to remember that we can all help keep children safe. By asking questions – sometimes difficult ones – and by sharing information or concerns with someone who can help, we can create a safer environment for children to grow up in and help ensure that no child falls through the gaps.
“Anyone who has concerns about a child’s welfare or safety can call 0808 8005000 or email help@nspcc. org.uk, but if a child is in immediate danger, always call the police on 999”.
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