Overview
- Mr Justice Mark Turner at Preston Crown Court on Thursday discharged the jurors for reasons the court said cannot be reported and said a new panel will be sworn on Monday.
- Jamie Varley is charged with murder and multiple sexual and cruelty offences, and John McGowan‑Fazackerley is charged with causing or allowing the death of a child and related offences, with both men denying all charges.
- A Home Office post‑mortem reported about 40 non‑accidental injuries and found the cause of death was acute upper airway obstruction consistent with smothering or insertion of an object, which prosecutors say does not support drowning.
- Police say Varley’s seized phone contained footage from the day of the collapse showing Preston with signs of respiratory arrest as no help was sought, according to evidence outlined in court.
- Adoption workers told jurors the couple passed a ‘robust’ vetting with no concerns, while Preston’s former foster mother said she struggled to visit him after the move and had a gut feeling something was wrong.