A same-sex couple have been convicted over the abuse and killing of their adopted baby son in a case that has horrified Britain and raised fresh questions about the country’s adoption system.
Jamie Varley, 37, a school teacher from Lancashire, was found guilty of murdering and sexually abusing 13-month-old Preston Davey after a lengthy trial at Preston Crown Court.
His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was convicted of causing or allowing the death of a child, child cruelty offences and sexual assault.
The court heard that Preston endured months of physical, emotional and sexual abuse after being placed in the couple’s care in April 2023.
Prosecutors described the abuse as a “reign of terror” which left the child with more than 40 injuries before his death just four months later.
Medical evidence showed he died from acute upper airway obstruction consistent with smothering.
Jurors were told that Varley had created indecent images and videos involving the child and repeatedly lied to investigators about the circumstances surrounding Preston’s death.
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The pair initially claimed the child had drowned in a bath, but forensic evidence contradicted their account.
Detectives described the case as one of the most disturbing child abuse investigations they had ever encountered.
The senior investigating officer said Preston had been “betrayed” by the very people entrusted with his care.
The case has also sparked renewed scrutiny of the adoption process. Evidence presented during the trial suggested there were multiple opportunities for authorities to intervene before the child’s death.
Preston was taken to hospital several times with injuries and concerns were raised by people involved in his care, yet no action was taken that ultimately protected him.
Same-sex adoption
The Adoption and Children Act 2002 allowed unmarried couples, including homosexual couples, to adopt children jointly in England and Wales.
The changes came into force in December 2005 and were presented as a way of increasing the number of potential adoptive parents available for children waiting for permanent homes.
Supporters argued that a loving home was more important than the gender of parents and that expanding eligibility would help reduce the number of children waiting in care.
However, critics, including faith groups and family campaigners, opposed the changes.
They argued that children have a natural need for both a mother and a father and warned that adoption policy was becoming increasingly focused on the desires of adults rather than the rights and welfare of children.
Many Muslims shared those concerns at the time. Islamic teaching places great importance on the distinct and complementary roles of mothers and fathers in raising children.
Critics of same-sex adoption have long argued that adoption agencies should prioritise placing children in homes with both male and female parental figures wherever possible.
While supporters of same-sex adoption point out that criminal abuse is not unique to any particular household type, opponents argue that cases involving homosexual adopters inevitably prompt questions about whether authorities have given sufficient consideration to the importance of traditional family structures when making placement decisions.
Calls for inquiry
Following the verdicts, there have been growing calls for a full investigation into how Preston was placed with the couple and whether warning signs were missed by social workers, healthcare professionals and adoption agencies.
An independent child safeguarding review is expected to examine the circumstances leading up to Preston’s death and whether opportunities to protect him were overlooked.
Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley are due to be sentenced later this week.
