Partner 'misplaced trust' in murder accused, trial hears

The co-accused partner of a man alleged to have murdered their adopted baby son has told a jury his trust in him was "misplaced".

John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, is said to have caused or allowed the death of 13-month-old Preston Davey, along with child cruelty and a sexual assault.

His partner, high school teacher Jamie Varley, 37, is accused of Preston's murder and multiple offences of cruelty and child sexual abuse.

Both men deny a sexual interest in the baby and have pleaded not guilty to all charges at Preston Crown Court.

• Warning: The following court evidence contains distressing information

Preston, described as a "sweet and bubbly" baby, was adopted by the couple in April 2023.

During the four months he was living at their Blackpool home before he was rushed to hospital on 27 July, it is alleged he was routinely ill-treated, had indecent images and videos taken of him, and was sexually abused and physically assaulted.

Sales manager McGowan-Fazakerley told the jury he had no reason to believe Varley had harmed Preston and thought he had drowned after Varley told him en route to hospital that he had left him alone in the bath.

He said he still believed Preston's death was accidental as the couple continued to live with each other up until they were re-arrested in 2025 and then both charged.

While on remand in prison he said he began to "try to put the puzzle together" as he learned what the prosecution case would be.

His barrister Anne Whyte KC said: "Prior to standing trial at this building last month, had you reached a stage where you truly felt you understood what happened to Preston that day?"

McGowan-Fazakerley said "No, no. I don't think I fully understood why he is not here."

Whyte said: "At the point of being charged were you still depending on what Mr Varley told you about the day?"

"Yes," he replied.

Whyte asked: "While on remand were you still depending on what Mr Varley told you about the day?"

"Yes," he repeated.

Whyte said: "Now, do you feel that you understand what happened?"

Pausing to answer McGowan-Fazakerley said: "I feel I am starting to understand more about what's happened.

"I'm starting to look at the sequence of events and what's been said, and to start forming that together."

Whyte continued: "Do you feel as if your trust in Mr Varley was misplaced?"

McGowan-Fazakerley said: "Yes I do feel like my trust in Jamie has been misplaced."

Varley has denied fabricating the "bath incident" after a post-mortem examination ruled out drowning as the cause of the death and instead discovered Preston had suffered 40 traumatic injuries.

McGowan-Fazakerley testified that Varley never told him about a video recording he took of Preston on the afternoon of 27 July - while he was at work – over concerns the child had a seizure.

Whyte said: "When did you first see that video?"

McGowan-Fazakerley, who confirmed Varley was now his ex-partner, said: "Police interview."

Whyte said: "What do you make of that?"

The defendant replied: "I feel like he has hidden that from me. I don't understand why.

"I can recall every aspect of that day from the moment I opened my eyes until I went to sleep.

"The days, weeks and months afterwards, all I have done is replay that day over and over and over again."

Varley denies murder, manslaughter, two counts of assault by penetration, five counts of cruelty to a child, grievous bodily harm, sexual assault of a child, 13 counts of taking indecent photos or videos of a child, one of distributing an indecent photo of a child, to his co-accused, and one of making an indecent photo.

McGowan-Fazakerley denies allowing the death of a child, three counts of child cruelty and one count of the sexual assault of a child.

The trial continues.

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