A court in the United Kingdom has heard disturbing allegations in the trial of a former school teacher accused of murdering his adopted 13-month-old baby boy.
According to proceedings at Preston Crown Court, 37-year-old Jamie Varley strongly denied accusations of physically and sexually abusing the child, Preston Davey, during police questioning following the infant’s death in July 2023.
Video footage played before the jury reportedly showed Varley repeatedly insisting on his innocence, telling detectives: “I have not done it. I will fight you till the day I die.”
Varley, who was working as a high school teacher at the time, is facing charges of murder and child sexual abuse. His partner, 32-year-old John McGowan-Fazakerley, is accused of allowing the child’s death and also faces abuse-related charges. Both defendants have denied all allegations brought against them.
The court heard that during the four months the child lived with the couple in Blackpool, he was allegedly subjected to repeated ill-treatment, physical assaults, and abuse. Prosecutors further alleged that indecent images and videos involving the child were created during that period.
The baby was rushed unconscious to Blackpool Victoria Hospital on 27 July 2023, where medical teams attempted resuscitation for nearly an hour but were unable to save him.
Varley reportedly claimed the child drowned after being left alone in a bath for a few minutes. However, prosecutors told the court that post-mortem findings by pathologist Dr Alison Armour concluded the child had not drowned.
The medical examination reportedly found evidence of abusive trauma, non-accidental injuries, and sexual abuse, with prosecutors alleging the infant suffered severe injuries shortly before his death.
During police questioning shown in court, detectives directly challenged Varley with the medical findings, but he repeatedly denied harming the child and insisted the allegations were false.
The highly sensitive and distressing case continues before the jury as further evidence is expected to be presented in court.
