Blackpool — A former high school teacher has been handed the UK’s most severe punishment after he and his partner were convicted of sexually abusing and murdering a 13-month-old boy they had adopted.

Jamie Varley, 37, from Blackpool, was sentenced to a whole life order at Preston Crown Court yesterday for the murder of Preston Davey, who died in July 2023. His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was jailed for 25 years for causing or allowing the child’s death, sexual assault and child cruelty.

Preston, who was adopted by the couple in April 2023 when he was nine months old, suffered 40 traumatic injuries during the four months he lived with them. He died on 27 July 2023 after a final sexual assault while alone with Varley. Varley initially told police and hospital staff that the baby had accidentally drowned in a bath, but the post-mortem revealed he had been smothered and suffocated.

The case has shocked the nation and prompted fresh calls for a public inquiry into safeguarding failures. Social services visited the family home just 20 days before Preston’s death, but concluded there were no concerns. Internal documents, now released as part of the coronial and safeguarding review, show multiple missed opportunities across agencies that failed to spot the pattern of injuries, unexplained seizures and bruising.

During the trial, Mr Justice Turner told Varley: “It was you who did this. You murdered him. This is a case of the utmost gravity. You must stay in prison for the rest of your life. You will never be eligible for parole.”

Varley was convicted of murder, two counts of sexual assault, inflicting grievous bodily harm, four counts of child cruelty, and numerous indecent images offences. He also filmed a video of Preston struggling to breathe just hours before he died.

The independent Child Safeguarding Practice Review, led by Oldham Council (which handled Preston’s adoption after he was taken into care at five days old), is now examining every agency contact – from hospital visits and school to social workers – and will publish its findings shortly. Two MPs, Blackpool South MP Chris Webb and Fylde MP Andrew Snowden, have already demanded a full public inquiry to ensure “nothing like this ever happens again”.

The biological mother, Sarah Davey, has said she will never forgive the men: “Every single day I live with the unimaginable pain of wondering what my son went through.”

Preston’s adoptive father has been interviewed by detectives. The community has rallied with vigils and tributes, including lights on Blackpool Tower turned blue in memory of the toddler.

This is a heartbreaking case that has left families across the UK demanding urgent action to protect vulnerable children. Ministers have pledged new safeguards by March 2027, including multi-agency child protection teams in every local authority. But advocates say more must be done to prevent future tragedies like this one.

The trial lasted eight weeks. Both men were found guilty after less than three days’ deliberation. Sentencing remarks have been described as “devastating” and “unflinching”.

Preston’s story is now being used to push for better training, oversight and transparency in the adoption and care system.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Lancashire Police or the NSPCC.