Jamie Varley, the former secondary school teacher convicted of murdering and abusing 13-month-old Preston Davey, has begun serving his sentence at HMP Wakefield, one of Britain’s highest-security prisons.

The 37-year-old was given a whole-life order at Preston Crown Court on June 18, 2026. The sentence means he will never be considered for parole and is expected to remain behind bars for the rest of his life. His former partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, received a 25-year sentence after being convicted of allowing the child’s death, child cruelty and sexual assault.

From a Position of Trust to a Life Sentence

Before his arrest, Varley worked as a head of year at a secondary school in Blackpool. He and McGowan-Fazakerley had been approved to care for Preston as part of an adoptive placement.

Preston was born on June 16, 2022, and entered emergency foster care only days later. During the first nine months of his life, health professionals and foster carers described him as a healthy, happy and affectionate baby.

In March 2023, an adoption panel approved his placement with Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley. Preston spent his first night in their home on March 31.

Within four months, his life had changed beyond recognition. Investigators later established that he had experienced repeated cruelty and suffered more than 40 separate injuries while living with the couple. Evidence recovered from mobile phones played a major role in showing what had happened inside the home.

The Final Day of Preston’s Life

On July 27, 2023, Varley recorded Preston struggling to breathe and appearing to be in serious discomfort.

Despite the child’s condition, he was not taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital until later that evening. Preston arrived unconscious and in cardiac arrest. Medical staff attempted to save him, but he was pronounced dead at 7:20 p.m.

Varley initially claimed that Preston had accidentally become submerged after being left alone in a bath. However, medical and forensic evidence did not support that account.

Prosecutors argued that Preston’s airway had been deliberately obstructed. They also presented evidence showing that Varley was the only adult in the house when the assaults that led to the child’s death occurred.

After a seven-week trial, the jury found Varley guilty of murder, serious assault, child cruelty, sexual offences and offences involving indecent images. McGowan-Fazakerley was convicted of failing to protect Preston and participating in other offences against him.

A Rare Whole-Life Order

Whole-life orders are reserved for crimes considered to be exceptionally serious. Unlike an ordinary life sentence with a minimum term, a prisoner receiving a whole-life order has no normal prospect of release.

During sentencing, Mr Justice Turner told Varley directly that he was responsible for Preston’s murder. The judge described the sentence as one used only in cases of the greatest gravity.

Lancashire Police confirmed that Varley would remain in prison for the rest of his life. McGowan-Fazakerley must serve at least two-thirds of his 25-year sentence before he can be considered for release.

Inside HMP Wakefield

Varley is now reported to be held at HMP Wakefield in West Yorkshire. His location was also indicated when he later appeared at Preston Crown Court through a video connection from the prison.

HMP Wakefield is a high-security men’s prison that houses Category A and Category B prisoners, including people serving long or indeterminate sentences and men convicted of serious sexual offences. The prison can accommodate approximately 750 people across four main units, with most prisoners housed in individual cells.

New arrivals undergo an induction process that can last for up to two weeks. They are assessed for immediate health, safety and wellbeing needs before being introduced to prison rules, available services and the unit where they will be placed.

Prisoners at Wakefield may have access to education, approved employment, exercise facilities and behavioural programmes. However, Varley’s whole-life order means that any activities offered to him will take place within a sentence that has no scheduled end date.

False Claims Circulate Online

Following Varley’s transfer, several social-media posts claimed that he had already been attacked or stabbed inside the prison.

Those stories were false.

The Ministry of Justice confirmed that Varley had not been attacked. Independent fact-checkers also found no credible reports supporting the viral claims about an assault inside HMP Wakefield.

Some newspapers have published accounts attributed to unnamed prison sources concerning alleged threats and Varley’s emotional condition. Because those details have not been publicly confirmed by prison authorities, they should not be presented as established fact.

What has been confirmed is that Varley is serving a whole-life sentence at a high-security prison and will not be eligible for parole.

Questions Over Missed Opportunities to Protect Preston

The case has also raised serious questions about the professionals and agencies responsible for Preston’s welfare.

During the final months of his life, he was seen by medical staff, social workers and other professionals. He was taken to hospital on several occasions, yet he continued to be returned to the couple’s care.

On one hospital visit in May 2023, safeguarding staff contacted police. Officers attended, but medical staff reported that there were no concerns about a non-accidental injury at that time. Investigators later recovered images showing that Preston already had visible injuries.

An independent safeguarding review is examining the decisions made by the adoption agency, local authorities and health services. Its central question is how a child who had contact with so many professionals could remain in an unsafe home.

Preston Must Remain at the Heart of the Story

Jamie Varley’s arrival at HMP Wakefield represents the beginning of a permanent life behind prison walls. Yet investigators have urged the public not to allow attention surrounding the convicted men or the prison to overshadow Preston.

For the first nine months of his life, Preston was remembered as a joyful and healthy child. His foster carers recalled his smiling eyes and the happiness he brought into their home.

He never reached his second birthday.

The criminal trial has ended and the sentences have been imposed, but the safeguarding questions remain. The continuing reviews must now determine what went wrong and what changes are required to prevent another vulnerable child from being failed in the same way.