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Court Shown Texts and Phone Clips in Trial Over 13-Month-Old's Death

Prosecutors say the material points to sustained abuse under the adoptive fathers' care.

Overview

  • Jurors saw messages in which Jamie Varley texted John McGowan-Fazackerley, "Your son's in hospital, I strangled him," then wrote "Jokes" weeks before the child died.
  • The court viewed photos and videos from Varley’s phone that prosecutors say show cruelty and indecent images, along with texts about keeping the baby awake and not seeking care after a possible seizure.
  • Hospital staff described earlier emergency visits, including a May 25 episode when the baby arrived unresponsive with forehead bruising and a July 6 visit for an elbow fracture that was put in a cast.
  • A neighbour’s statement said the baby cried a great deal and that she sometimes heard a raised voice from the home, though she saw the couple as friendly.
  • A Home Office post-mortem recorded more than 40 injuries, Varley is charged with murder and sexual offences, McGowan-Fazackerley faces counts of causing or allowing death and cruelty, and both deny the allegations.