The partner of a man accused of killing and sexually abusing their adopted baby son admitted to the court that he had placed his trust in the wrong person. John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, is facing charges related to the death of 13-month-old Preston Davey, including child cruelty and sexual assault. Jamie Varley, a 37-year-old high school teacher and McGowan-Fazakerley’s partner, is also charged with murder, cruelty, and child sexual abuse. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to all allegations at Preston Crown Court.

Preston, a cheerful baby, was adopted by the couple in April 2023. The prosecution claims that during the four months Preston lived with them in their Blackpool residence before being hospitalized on July 27, he was subjected to mistreatment, indecent recordings, sexual abuse, and physical violence.

McGowan-Fazakerley informed the jury that he had believed Varley’s explanation that Preston had drowned in the bath when they rushed him to the hospital. Despite being re-arrested and charged in 2025, he initially thought Preston’s death was accidental as they continued living together. However, while in prison awaiting trial, he began to question the events leading to Preston’s demise.

Under questioning by his barrister, McGowan-Fazakerley expressed his struggle to comprehend the circumstances surrounding Preston’s death and admitted that his trust in Varley had been misplaced. Varley, on the other hand, denies orchestrating a false story about the bath incident after an autopsy revealed Preston had sustained 40 injuries, ruling out drowning as the cause of death.

McGowan-Fazakerley revealed that Varley had not disclosed a video he took of Preston on the day of his death, claiming it was due to concerns about a possible seizure. He only became aware of the video during a police interview. Feeling betrayed by Varley’s actions, he emphasized the constant replaying of that fateful day in his mind.

The court was informed that Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley are no longer together. Varley denies multiple charges, including murder, assault, cruelty, and indecent image-related offenses. McGowan-Fazakerley denies allegations of child cruelty, allowing a child’s death, and child sexual assault.