Texts from teacher who called adopted baby he is accused of murdering ‘dead meat’ revealed

CaptJamie Varley, 36 (left) sits in the dock at Preston Crown Court where he is accused of the murder and sexual assault of 13-month-old Preston Davey in 2023, whilst in he was in the process of adopting the child along with co-accused John McGowan-Fazakerley, 31, (right) (Picture: Elizabeth Cook/PA Wire)

A teacher accused of murdering an adopted baby ‘jokingly’ told his partner, ‘your son’s in hospital. I strangled him’, a court heard.

Jamie Varley, 37, a minute later sent a second text to his boyfriend, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, saying: ‘Jokes. Just give me a call when done.’

The defendants had adopted 13-month-old Preston Davey in Blackpool in April 2023, Preston Crown Court heard.

Varley is accused of the murder of the child and McGowan-Fazakerley of allowing the death of the child, with both accused of sexual abuse, the trial, now in its second week, has ...