Teacher Jamie Varley Shouted "I Effing Killed Him" as Medics Fought to Save 13-Month-Old Preston Davey

A high school teacher charged with the murder and sexual abuse of a baby he adopted with his partner reportedly begged medics, "Don't let him die!" and declared, "I effing killed him," a court has heard.

Jamie Varley, 37, carried 13-month-old Preston Davey, who was unconscious, into Blackpool Victoria Hospital, a jury at Preston Crown Court was told. Medics worked for nearly an hour to resuscitate the child, who was pronounced dead at 19:18 BST on 27 July 2023.

Varley is accused of murder and his partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, is accused of allowing the child's death. Both also face charges of sexual abuse, which they deny. Jurors heard allegations of routine ill-treatment, indecent image-taking, sexual abuse, and physical assault during the four months the baby lived with them in Blackpool. A post-mortem examination identified 40 injuries.

Paramedic Simon Crabb recounted seeing Varley running with a "floppy" baby and hearing him state the child was not breathing. Crabb initiated rescue breaths while running into A&E. He described Varley as "hysterical," claiming the teacher said he had left the baby in the bath for three to four minutes while showering. Dr Wendy Aubrey, a senior anaesthetist, testified she found no water in Preston's mouth or airways, contrary to a drowning narrative.

Dr Anthony Kearns, lead consultant in emergency medicine, also noted the child was "completely dry" when he examined him. Dr Aubrey described one parent, identified as Varley in medical notes, as "very dramatic" and "chaotic," recalling his shouts of "Don't let him die" and "I effing killed him." After resuscitation efforts ceased, Varley reportedly attempted to administer chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation despite the breathing tube remaining in place, requiring firm intervention to stop him.

The prosecution alleges that four hours before the hospital visit, Varley recorded a video of Preston smiling and clapping at his grandmother's house, then subjected the child to a final sexual assault after leaving. 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 photos or videos, one count of distributing an indecent photo to his co-accused, and one count of making an indecent photo. 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 is ongoing.