A teacher who sexually abused and murdered his 13‑month‑old adopted son has been told he will die in prison – one of only around 70 people in the UK ever to receive a whole‑life order.
Jamie Varley, 37, from Blackpool, was sentenced to spend the rest of his life behind bars for the murder of Preston Davey. His partner, John McGowan‑Fazakerley, 32, was jailed for 25 years for sexual assault, child cruelty and allowing the child’s death. Preston died in July 2023 after months of physical, sexual and emotional abuse at the couple’s home. A post‑mortem found 40 injuries on his body. The judge, Mr Justice Turner, said the case was one of “the most extreme gravity” and that a whole‑life order was a “sentence of last resort”. Varley will never be eligible for parole.
“Explains whole-life orders using the case of Preston Davey.”
A whole‑life order is the most severe sentence a UK court can impose. It means the offender must stay in prison for the rest of their natural life and can be released only in “exceptional compassionate circumstances”, such as terminal illness. The order is reserved for the most serious crimes – typically murder involving sadistic, sexual or terrorist elements. Other recent recipients include child serial killer Lucy Letby, Sarah Everard’s killer Wayne Couzens, and triple murderer Kyle Clifford. According to reports, only around 70 prisoners in the UK are currently serving whole‑life orders.
The case has raised questions about how Preston fell through the safety net. He was taken into care five days after birth because his biological mother, Sarah Davey, had been convicted of murder as a teenager. After a period with foster parents, Preston was placed with Varley and McGowan‑Fazakerley at nine months old. In the four months that followed, a “battery of professionals” – including social workers, doctors and nurses – saw Preston, yet the abuse went undetected until it was too late. The Government has said it will “make sure anyone responsible for negligence faces consequences”.
For UK readers, the case highlights the rare but profound use of a whole‑life order and the stakes involved when the state’s care system entrusts a child to adults. It also underscores the ongoing debate about whether enough is done to monitor children placed for adoption, especially those with vulnerable backgrounds.
Q: What is a whole‑life order in the UK? A whole‑life order is a sentence that keeps an offender in prison for the rest of their life with no chance of parole. It can only be imposed for the most serious crimes, such as murder committed with sadistic or sexual motives. The judge must state explicitly that the case meets the threshold of “the most extreme gravity”.
Q: How many people are currently serving whole‑life orders? Reports suggest there are only around 70 prisoners in the UK serving whole‑life orders. Notable examples include Lucy Letby, Wayne Couzens, and Kyle Clifford. The sentence is extremely rare and reserved for the worst offenders.
Q: What went wrong in the case of Preston Davey? Preston was placed with Varley and McGowan‑Fazakerley in April 2023 after being taken from his birth mother. Over the next four months, a range of professionals – social workers, doctors and nurses – saw the baby, yet they failed to prevent the escalating abuse. The court heard that the couple treated Preston as a “plaything”. The Government has promised an investigation into possible negligence.
What happens next: Varley will remain in prison indefinitely, while McGowan‑Fazakerley will serve at least 25 years before being considered for parole. The Government has pledged to examine how the adoption and child‑protection system allowed the abuse to continue, and may announce a review or changes to safeguarding procedures. Preston’s birth mother, Sarah Davey, said she will “never forgive” the men for what they did.