A teacher who murdered his 13-month-old baby told police that he would fight the charges “to the day I die” as he denied wrongdoing. Jamie Varley, 37, was found guilty of the murder and sexual assault of Preston Davey, who he adopted with his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, in April 2023. In the four months he was in their care, Davey was routinely ill-treated, had indecent images and videos taken of him, was sexually abused and physically assaulted and suffered 40 traumatic injuries. In a police interview released by Lancashire Police, Varley denied that he had murdered the 13-month-old. “ You make that suggestion, and I'll fight it to the day I die, 'cause one day you guys will be in trouble 'cause you are absolutely wrong. I don't know how I'm gonna prove it, but you are wrong 'cause I have not done it.” His partner, McGowan-Fazakerley, was also found guilty of allowing the death of a child, two counts of child cruelty and one count of the sexual assault of a child.

A secondary school teacher has been found guilty of the shocking sexual abuse and murder of a baby he and his partner were adopting.

High school teacher Jamie Varley, 37, has been found guilty at Preston Crown Court of the murder of adopted 13-month-old Preston Davey