CPS authorises charges against two men following death of 13-month-old boy in Blackpool
Suzanne Llewellyn, Chief Crown Prosecutor of CPS North West, said:
“The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised the prosecution of two men in relation to the death of a 13-month-old boy in Blackpool.
“Jamie Varley, 36, of Grimsargh in Lancashire, has been charged with the murder of baby Preston Davey, in addition to a series of serious sexual and child cruelty offences.
“John McGowan-Fazakerley, 31, of Grimsargh in Lancashire, has been charged with allowing the death of a child, in addition to child cruelty and sexual offences.
“The Crown Prosecution Service has worked closely with Lancashire Police following a detailed police investigation, to review the available evidence and advise on the appropriate charges.
“We recognise the profoundly distressing nature of the alleged crimes – however we remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against these defendants are now active, and they have a right to a fair trial.
“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
Notes to editors
- Jamie Varley, [DOB 11.3.89] and John McGowan-Fazakerley [DOB 2.7.93] are both formerly of Blackpool and now of Chandlers Way, Grimsargh.
- Jamie Varley is charged with the below offences:
- One count of murder
- One count of manslaughter
- Two counts of assault by penetration of a child under 13, contrary to section 6(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003
- Five counts of cruelty to a person under 16, contrary to section 1(1) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933
- One count of inflicting grievous bodily harm, contrary to section 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1863
- One count of sexual Assault of a child under 13, contrary to section 7 (1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003
- Ten counts of taking indecent photographs of a child, contrary to section 1(1)(a) of the Protection of Children Act 1978
- One count of distributing indecent photographs of a child, contrary to section 1(1)(a) of the Protection of Children Act 1978
- Two counts of possession of an indecent pseudo image of a child, contrary to section 160(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988
- One count of possession of an extreme pornographic image, contrary to section 63(1) of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008
- John McGowan-Fazakerley is charged with:
- One count of allowing the death of a child, contrary to section 5 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004
- Two counts of cruelty to a person under 16, contrary to section 1(1) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933
- One count of sexual Assault of a child under 13, contrary to section 7 (1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003
- Both men are due to appear at Lancaster Magistrates Court on Friday 13 June 2025.