Man, 36, accused of murdering 13-month-old boy faces TWENTY-TWO offences including sexual assault and child cruelty

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Jamie Varley and second man charged nearly two years after baby Preston Davey died at Blackpool hospital

A 36-year-old man has been charged with the murder of a 13-month-old baby boy alongside a horrifying catalogue of sexual and child cruelty offences.

Jamie Varley, from Grimsargh, Lancashire, faces a staggering 22 charges including murder, sexual assault of a child, and distributing indecent images following the death of toddler Preston Davey in July 2023.

A second man, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 31, has also been charged with causing and allowing the death of a child and other serious offences.

BABY’S TRAGIC DEATH

Little Preston Davey was rushed to Blackpool Victoria Hospital on the evening of July 27, 2023, in an unresponsive state.

Despite the desperate efforts of medical staff, the 13-month-old was pronounced dead at 7:15pm – less than an hour after arriving at the hospital.

Lancashire Police immediately launched a murder investigation after clinicians raised concerns about the youngster’s condition.

SHOCKING CHARGE SHEET

Jamie Varley, 36, of Chandlers Way, Grimsargh, has been charged with:

• Murder
• Two counts of sexual assault of a male child under 13
• Inflicting grievous bodily harm
• Five counts of cruelty to a person under 16
• Ten counts of taking indecent images of a child
• Two counts of possessing indecent images of a child
• One count of distributing an indecent image of a child
• One count of possessing an extreme image

The scale and severity of the charges have shocked the local community.

SECOND MAN CHARGED

John McGowan-Fazakerley, 31, also of Chandlers Way, Grimsargh, has been charged with:

• Causing and allowing the death of a child
• Two counts of cruelty to a person under 16
• Sexual assault of a male child under 13

Lancashire Police confirmed all charges relate to the same victim – baby Preston.

TWO-YEAR INVESTIGATION

The charges come nearly two years after Preston’s death sparked a major police investigation:

July 27, 2023: Preston dies at Blackpool Victoria Hospital

August 2023: Police and CSI teams spend 10 days investigating a home in Staining Road, Blackpool, near Newton Hall Holiday Park

October 2023: Inquest opened and adjourned as criminal investigation continues

June 2025: Both men charged following CPS consultation

FORENSIC INVESTIGATION

In the week following Preston’s death, forensic teams:

• Set up crime scene at Staining Road property
• Worked for 10 days gathering evidence
• Removed items including what appeared to be a toddler’s cot
• Collected material for detailed examination

ARREST TIMELINE

Both men were originally from Blackpool but had moved to Grimsargh near Preston by the time of their arrests.

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “Both men were re-arrested on Wednesday and having consulted the Crown Prosecution Service, we last night charged them with the following.

POST-MORTEM MYSTERY

A Home Office post-mortem examination was carried out by pathologist Dr Alison Armour, but the medical cause of death remained under investigation.

Blackpool coroner Alan Wilson had noted that the pathologist “withheld her medical opinion upon the outcome of further investigations.”

COURT APPEARANCE

Both men have been remanded in custody and are due to appear at Lancaster Magistrates Court this morning.

The case is expected to be sent to Crown Court given the severity of the charges.

INQUEST ON HOLD

An inquest into Preston’s death was initially opened in October 2023 but has been adjourned pending the outcome of criminal proceedings.

Coroner Alan Wilson had questioned whether there was “reasonable suspicion that the death was not due to natural causes.”

COMMUNITY SHOCK

The charges have sent shockwaves through the Lancashire community, with the combination of murder and sexual offences against such a young victim being described as “horrifying” by locals.

The case highlights the vulnerability of infants and the importance of child protection services.

ONGOING INVESTIGATION

Lancashire Police have not ruled out further developments in the case as their investigation continues.

Anyone with information is being urged to contact police or Crimestoppers anonymously.

JUSTICE FOR PRESTON

As the legal process begins, Preston’s short life and tragic death remain at the heart of what promises to be a harrowing court case.

The 13-month-old’s death in July 2023 sparked one of Lancashire Police’s most intensive investigations, culminating in yesterday’s charges against the two men who shared an address in Grimsargh.

The case now moves to the courts where the full circumstances surrounding Preston Davey’s death may finally be revealed.