Overview
- Mr Justice Turner sentenced Jamie Varley to a whole‑life order on 18 June 2026 after a jury found him guilty of murder, multiple sexual offences, grievous bodily harm and making indecent images of the 13‑month‑old, signaling that he will never be eligible for release.
- Varley’s partner John McGowan‑Fazakerley was given a long determinate term reported as 25 years following convictions for allowing the child’s death, child cruelty and sexual assault.
- A Home Office post‑mortem found about 40 non‑accidental internal and external injuries and concluded the cause of death was acute upper airway obstruction consistent with objects being inserted into the child’s mouth.
- The case exposed repeated missed chances by health, hospital and social‑care professionals who saw the baby before his death, and Oldham Council has relaunched a paused local social‑services investigation while the national Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel will lead a formal review.
- The court heard graphic digital and witness evidence including indecent photos and videos and messages showing Varley’s hostile comments about the child, and victim impact statements from birth and foster parents described long‑term emotional and practical harm to Preston’s family and carers.