Teacher accused of abusing and murdering adopted baby begged doctors to save him

A teacher accused of sexually abusing and murdering his adopted baby begged medics "don't let him die", a court heard. 

Jamie Varley, 37, rushed 13-month-old Preston Davey to Blackpool Victoria Hospital unconscious in his arms, a jury at Preston Crown Court was told on Tuesday.

His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, had a "look of terror in his eyes", jurors were told.

Varley is accused of murdering the child. His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, is accused of allowing the baby's death. Both are accused of sexual abuse.

For four months whilst under their adoption, Preston was routinely ill-treated, had indecent images and videos taken of him, was sexually abused and physically assaulted, the court heard.

A post-mortem examination was said to have identified 40 injuries on Preston's body.

Varley told medics they left the baby in the bath alone, and came back minutes later to find discover him drowning.

But senior anaesthetist Dr Wendy Aubrey, told the court she did not see any water in the child's mouth or airways.

She said she did not see any water in the child's mouth or airways, adding: "There was no water in his lungs. I would have expected water in his lungs."

Dr Anthony Kearns, lead consultant in the accident and emergency department who tried to save Preston, added: "The child was completely dry.

"They had a nappy in situ, which appeared to be appropriately placed."

She said it was standard practice to invite family in to see their child under resuscitation and both defendants and Varley's mother were brought in to see Preston.

Dr Aubrey continued: "I recall one dad quite subdued.

"The other dad was very dramatic and more dramatic than I have seen parents previously. A bit chaotic. He would not stand still and let people support him and would not listen to what has been said.

"He was initially shouting, 'don't let him die'. He said, 'I effing killed him'."

Paramedic Simon Crabb said that Varley was "hysterical" and told him he had left the baby in the bath while he had a shower and returned three to four minutes later.

He said McGowan-Fazakerley was calmer, "but had a look of terror in his eyes".

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Varley, who was a high school teacher at the time, denies murder, manslaughter, two counts of assault by penetration, five counts of cruelty to a child, grievous bodily harm, sexual assault of a child, 13 counts of taking indecent photos or videos of a child, one of distributing an indecent photo of a child, to his co-accused, and one of making an indecent photo.

McGowan-Fazakerley denies allowing the death of a child, three counts of child cruelty and one count of the sexual assault of a child.

The trial was adjourned until Wednesday morning.

(c) Sky News 2026: Teacher accused of abusing and murdering adopted baby begged doctors to save him