A court has heard that a teacher, Jamie Varley, allegedly confessed to killing a baby by saying “I f***ing killed him” while medical staff tried to resuscitate the child in a hospital emergency department. Varley, 37, is accused of murdering and sexually abusing 13-month-old Preston Davey, whom he and his partner, John McGowan-Fazackerley, were in the process of adopting. Prosecutors claim that Preston sustained 40 injuries over a four-month period while under the care of the couple before his death at Blackpool Victoria Hospital in July 2023.

The trial of Varley and McGowan-Fazackerley, both residing in Grimsargh, Preston, is ongoing at Preston Crown Court, where they face multiple charges related to the baby’s death. Despite the allegations, both individuals have pleaded not guilty.

During the sixth day of the trial, witnesses testified that medical professionals worked tirelessly to resuscitate Preston for about an hour after he was brought to the hospital in cardiac and respiratory arrest. Dr. Wendy Aubrey, an anaesthetist involved in the case, described Varley’s behavior as dramatic and chaotic during the resuscitation process.

According to the testimony, Varley initially implored the medical team not to stop resuscitation efforts, but later allegedly admitted to causing the child’s death. The court also heard accounts from a nurse and a healthcare assistant detailing Varley’s actions and statements during the incident.

Varley vehemently denies charges of murder, manslaughter, assault, cruelty to a child, sexual offenses, and other related crimes, while McGowan-Fazakerley denies charges of child cruelty and sexual assault. The trial is ongoing as further evidence is presented to the court.