Overview
- The senior paediatrician, who testified Friday, said injuries to Preston’s pelvic organs were highly indicative of sexual trauma on more than one occasion.
- She pointed to device images with an unusual focus on the child’s genitals and videos showing him in critical distress, including footage about 90 minutes before he was taken to hospital and a 14-minute bath video where he was left alone.
- Earlier this week, a Home Office pathologist ruled out drowning and said the 13-month-old died from acute upper airway obstruction likely caused by smothering or an object inserted into his mouth.
- The post-mortem documented around 40 injuries, including more than 30 bruises, a fractured upper arm, internal trauma to the throat and pelvic organs, and a mark the pathologist said most likely represented a human bite.
- Jamie Varley is charged with murder and multiple sexual and cruelty offences, John McGowan-Fazakerley is charged with causing or allowing the child’s death and related counts, both plead not guilty, and the trial at Preston Crown Court has been adjourned until Monday.