'I struggle to imagine the horror' - Police slam Preston Davey abusers Jamie Varley & John McGowan-Fazakerley
“While no sentence will ever be enough for what these truly wicked men did to an innocent child, I welcome those handed down to them today by the Judge.”
The Lancashire Police detective who led the investigation into Preston Davey’s tragic abuse and murder has said that he ‘struggles to imagine the horror that Preston endured in his short life’.
Speaking on the steps of Preston Crown Court after the sentencing of Jamie Varley, 37, and John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, yesterday, DCI Andy Fallows, from Lancashire Police’s Force Major Investigation Team, called the paid ‘wicked’.
Following a seven-week trial at Preston Crown Court which concluded on Monday June 15, Varley was jailed for life after being found guilty of murdering and sexually abusing the 13-month old baby Preston, whom he was in the process of adopting.
Varley was also found guilty of seriously assaulting Preston on an earlier occasion, as well as five counts of child cruelty and possessing and distributing indecent images of a child. All those offences related to baby Preston.
Varley was given a whole life order, which means he will stay in prison for the rest of his life.
His now-ex partner John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was found guilty of causing or allowing a child’s death, two child cruelty offences and a single sexual assault and was sentenced to 25 years, of which he will have to serve two thirds. All those offences related to baby Preston.
‘Evil and monstrous’
DCI Andy Fallows, from Lancashire Police’s Force Major Investigation Team, said: “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.
“McGowan-Fazakerley did nothing to help Preston and instead committed his own sexual assault against him. While no sentence will ever be enough for what these truly wicked men did to an innocent child, I welcome those handed down to them today by the Judge.
“I hope it gives some comfort to those who loved Preston that both Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley will be behind bars for a significant period of time.
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“This has been one of the most challenging investigations our Force Major Investigation Team has ever undertaken, and the most extreme example of sordid and wicked behaviour by two completely remorseless human beings. This is a case which has truly shocked the nation.
“I would like to thank the investigation team for their professionalism and determination in getting justice for Preston. I would also like to thank the Crown Prosecution Service and our Counsel, Peter Wright KC and Simon Driver.
“I know today’s headlines will understandably be about Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley and their truly abhorrent crimes. However, I don’t want the victim in this case - baby Preston Davey - to be lost in the headlines. He was a happy and thriving boy who would have been celebrating his 4th birthday two days ago, if it wasn’t for the actions of Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley.”