Father Claimed Baby Preston Slipped Under Two Inches of Bath Water Prior to Fatal Airway Obstruction

Jamie Varley, 37, a former head of year at a school in Blackpool, took the witness box to vigorously deny the murder and horrific sexual abuse of baby Preston Davey. Defending his actions on the day of the child's death, Varley maintained that the tragedy was a "stupid close call" involving a bath that spiraled out of control, rather than a deliberate act of violence.

The Bath-Time Defense Under Scrutiny

Testifying in his own defense, an emotional Varley recounted the afternoon of July 27, 2023, when Preston collapsed at the couple's home. Varley told the jury that the child had missed his afternoon nap, so they had rested in bed together before he decided to run a bath.

According to Varley, he placed the 13-month-old on a plastic bath seat in approximately two inches of water before stepping into the shower cubicle immediately adjacent to the tub. He claimed he then left the bathroom for "one or two minutes" to gather a towel and fresh clothes.

"When I entered the bathroom my legs just felt like jelly," Varley testified, describing the moment he returned. "I scooped him up as quickly as I could, he gasped for a breath of air."

Varley told the court that he initially believed the incident was a "stupid close call". However, he claimed the baby began vomiting heavily and rapidly lost consciousness. It was at this moment that his partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, returned from work, and the couple rushed the child to Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

Pathologist and Medics Rule Out Drowning

Despite Varley's claims that he genuinely believed the child had drowned, the prosecution presented definitive medical evidence to the contrary. Emergency medical staff noted that there was no water present in the child's mouth or airways during resuscitation attempts. Furthermore, when Preston arrived at the hospital, he was completely dry and still wearing an appropriately placed nappy.

The high-profile murder trial of a former British high school teacher accused of killing his adopted 13-month-old son has reached a crucial phase at Preston Crown Court.

Jamie Varley, 37, a former head of year at a school in Blackpool, took the witness box to vigorously deny the murder and horrific sexual abuse of baby Preston Davey. Defending his actions on the day of the child's death, Varley maintained that the tragedy was a "stupid close call" involving a bath that spiraled out of control, rather than a deliberate act of violence.

The Bath-Time Defense Under Scrutiny

Testifying in his own defense, an emotional Varley recounted the afternoon of July 27, 2023, when Preston collapsed at the couple's home. Varley told the jury that the child had missed his afternoon nap, so they had rested in bed together before he decided to run a bath.

According to Varley, he placed the 13-month-old on a plastic bath seat in approximately two inches of water before stepping into the shower cubicle immediately adjacent to the tub. He claimed he then left the bathroom for "one or two minutes" to gather a towel and fresh clothes.

"When I entered the bathroom my legs just felt like jelly," Varley testified, describing the moment he returned. "I scooped him up as quickly as I could, he gasped for a breath of air."

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Varley told the court that he initially believed the incident was a "stupid close call". However, he claimed the baby began vomiting heavily and rapidly lost consciousness. It was at this moment that his partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, returned from work, and the couple rushed the child to Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

Pathologist and Medics Rule Out Drowning

Despite Varley's claims that he genuinely believed the child had drowned, the prosecution presented definitive medical evidence to the contrary. Emergency medical staff noted that there was no water present in the child's mouth or airways during resuscitation attempts. Furthermore, when Preston arrived at the hospital, he was completely dry and still wearing an appropriately placed nappy.