A former teacher has been convicted of sexually abusing and murdering a baby boy he had adopted, in a case that has shocked communities across the country and left family members in tears as the verdicts were delivered.

Jamie Varley, 37, was found guilty following a lengthy trial at Preston Crown Court. Jurors heard how 13-month-old Preston Davey endured months of abuse after being placed in the care of Varley and his partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, in April 2023.

The court was told that before moving into the defendants' home, Preston had been described by health professionals as a happy, healthy and thriving child. However, during the short period he lived with the pair, he suffered repeated abuse, including physical assaults, sexual abuse and cruelty.

Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Preston sustained around 40 injuries while in the defendants' care. Prosecutors said the abuse escalated over a period of just under four months before the little boy's death in July 2023.

Jurors heard that indecent images and videos of Preston were recovered during the investigation. The prosecution argued that Varley treated the child as a "plaything" for his own gratification and amusement.

When emergency services were called on 27 July 2023, Preston was rushed to hospital after being found unresponsive. Despite the efforts of medical staff, he could not be saved.

The court heard that Varley made desperate remarks as medics attempted to treat the child. During the investigation, jurors were told he repeatedly blamed himself for what had happened. One of the statements attributed to him was: "I effing killed him." Earlier evidence also revealed that he pleaded with those around him, saying:

"Please kill me."

Medical experts later concluded that Preston had not died as a result of an accident. Instead, evidence showed he had suffered extensive injuries and had been subjected to sustained abuse while living with the defendants.

Following deliberations, the jury found Varley guilty of murder, two counts of assault by penetration, five counts of child cruelty, grievous bodily harm, sexual assault of a child, multiple offences relating to indecent photographs and videos of a child, distributing an indecent image and making an indecent image.

McGowan-Fazakerley was found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child, two counts of child cruelty and one count of sexual assault of a child.

As the verdicts were read out in court, Varley reportedly put his hands to his face before collapsing to his knees and vomiting in the dock. Members of Preston's family broke down in tears as the guilty verdicts were returned.

The case has sparked widespread outrage online, with many people questioning how the adoption process failed to identify the dangers posed to the vulnerable child. One person commented:

“Why adopt a baby just to kill the baby??? You must be a unique kind of sick. God will deal with him accordingly. RIP poor little one.”

Another commented,

“It makes you wonder: who completes the assessment for adoption and what is the criteria!?”

Another wrote:

“Absolutely disgusting! Why anyone would want to abuse and SA anyone, yet alone a child, and they went out of their way to save a baby from foster care…this sh*t makes me so mad!!”

Preston's tragic death has prompted renewed scrutiny of safeguarding procedures and the adoption system, with many asking whether opportunities to intervene were missed before his life was cut short.

Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley are due to be sentenced at a later hearing.

For now, many people will simply remember Preston as a little boy who deserved love, safety and a future, but instead suffered unimaginable cruelty at the hands of those entrusted to care for him. His story has left a nation heartbroken, and questions surrounding how such abuse was able to happen are likely to continue long after the case concludes.