Overview
- A court convicted Jamie Varley of prolonged sexual and physical abuse and the smothering death of 13-month-old Preston Davey, and a judge imposed a whole-life order meaning he will spend the rest of his life in prison.
- Forensic evidence at trial found more than 30 visible bruises, internal injuries, a human bite mark, no water in the lungs and proof the child had been sexually assaulted before being smothered, which overturned claims of an accidental death.
- Varley’s former partner was sentenced to 25 years after being found guilty of allowing the child’s death and related child cruelty and sexual offences.
- Prison sources say Varley is being held in segregation under close observation and offered limited time out, and the Ministry of Justice has publicly denied social-media reports that he was stabbed or hospitalised.
- Oldham Council’s independent Child Safeguarding Practice Review will now resume to examine contacts by hospitals, social care and other agencies and to identify missed opportunities to protect Preston, a step that could lead to changes in local safeguarding practice.