Partner 'trusted' man accused of murdering baby

A man accused of sexually abusing the adopted baby his partner is accused of going on to murder has told a jury he trusted him "indefinitely".

John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, is accused of causing or allowing the death of 13-month-old Preston Davey, along with child cruelty and a sexual assault.

His partner, Jamie Varley, 37, is accused of murdering Preston and multiple counts of cruelty and child sexual abuse.

Both men, who deny any sexual interest in the baby, have pleaded not guilty to all charges at their Preston Crown Court trial.

• Warning: The following court evidence contains distressing information

Anne Whyte KC, defending McGowan-Fazakerley, asked him about the accusation that he knew, or should have known, that Preston was at risk from Varley.

The defendant, a graduate with a master's degree who worked as a sales manager in finance, replied: "He did everything right that I saw.

"He never did anything in my eyesight or when I was at home to make me think or question my leaving this little boy, and he's not going to be here any more.

"I trusted Jamie constantly, indefinitely, there was never a moment I would not trust him to care for him in a way I always saw him to do so."

Preston, described as a "sweet and bubbly" baby, was adopted by the couple in April 2023.

During the four months Preston was living at their Blackpool home, it is alleged he was routinely ill-treated, had indecent images and videos taken of him, and was sexually abused and physically assaulted.

Preston had been taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital three times already before his death, when he was rushed unresponsive to A&E by the defendants at about 18:30 BST on 27 July 2023.

Varley said he had left the baby in the bath and when he returned two or three minutes later he was submerged.

A post-mortem examination ruled out drowning, however, and instead found the cause of death to have been an acute upper airway obstruction.

A pathologist found about 40 trauma injuries to the infant's body.

Fazakerley-McGowan was asked about Varley allegedly telling a friend, Janet Gee, that he had "dark thoughts" about the baby by suffocating or drowning him.

Whyte continued: "Given what Mr Varley is alleged to have said about the type of harm, that he disputes, and what the prosecution said about his cause of death, how do you feel about the fact that you were not informed?"

He said: "If these conversations happened, I feel quite - it's quite a strong word - disturbed, if those conversations happened, why no-one has told me about it.

"I feel heartbroken. She's got my number. She's a friend. Why on earth would she not pick up that phone and tell me or tell somebody that Jamie had that conversation?"

The defendant was then asked about a 14-minute video taken by Varley of Preston alone in an empty bath to learn to "self-soothe".

He said the first he was aware of it was when it was shown to the jury in court.

He said: "Nothing more than just shocking and inappropriate and pathetic. The video makes me very angry. Very angry."

McGowan-Fazakerley said he never suspected Varley and he had never sexually assaulted the child.

"That I'm having to have to say those words leave my mouth is ridiculous," he added.

Varley denies murder, manslaughter, two counts of assault by penetration, five counts of cruelty to a child, grievous bodily harm, sexual assault of a child, 13 counts of taking indecent photographs or videos of a child, one of distributing an indecent photograph of a child to his co-accused, and one of making an indecent photograph.

McGowan-Fazakerley denies allowing the death of a child, three counts of child cruelty and one count of the sexual assault of a child.

The trial was adjourned until Wednesday.

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