WARNING DISTRESSING CONTENT: Sick Jamie Varley and his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley adopted the tragic tot in April 2023 after specifying he wanted a baby rather than a toddler, a pal has claimed
Sick Jamie Varley was “determined he wanted a baby” instead of an older child when he adopted little Preston Davey, a pal has claimed. The evil baby killer and his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley adopted the tragic tot in April 2023.
Baby Preston died just four months later after suffering a campaign of cruel sexual and physical abuse. Varley, 37, was given a rare whole life order by a judge after being convicted of his murder.
After his trial, a friend claimed Varley “dominated” his relationship with McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, after the pair met in Manchester’s Gay Village in 2018.
And another alleged Varley “took charge” when they adopted Preston and was the one to take paternity leave, claiming he told McGowan-Fazakerley he would have to carry on working because Varley “would be a more natural dad.”
The female friend told the Sun: “He was determined he wanted a baby and not a toddler or older child. Now you have to ask what his motives were all along.
“There was never any question they wouldn’t get a child because they were a poster couple for adoption. Who is going to knock back a finance sales guy and a popular teacher?”
The couple owned a three-bedroom home in Blackpool, with marble floors and chandeliers in the bedrooms. We reported how they bought a £450,000 home just days after Preston died.
They also owned a miniature pinscher dog called Maximus who they doted on like a baby. But friends claimed Varley had a sinister side to him, despite putting on a front of being “a super-friendly guy who was a popular teacher and totally together”.
Another pal told the paper: “There was always something quite dark about him. He always had to be the centre of attention wherever he went. John was a much quieter guy who I think could be a bit embarrassed when they were out and about together.”
Dubbing him “loud and cringe”, the pal said a video of Varley collapsing at the hospital – as he feigned concern for baby Preston as his life slipped away – was typical of how dramatic he was, adding: “Nothing was too over-the-top.”
Neighbours claimed Varley could often be heard shouting in the couple’s home but Adoption Now, the agency covering Lancashire, did not pick up on any concerns and Oldham Council gave the final sign off and placed tiny Preston with the couple.
The tragic tot died in July 2023 after suffering four months of sexual abuse at the hands of the pair. McGowan-Fazakerley was jailed for 25 years last week.