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Sexual abuse

Former Teacher Charged with Murder and Child Abuse Offenses in UK

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Jamie Varley, 36, a former teacher at South Shore Academy in Blackpool, Lancashire, has been charged with murder, multiple counts of child abuse, and possession of indecent images. Varley was initially arrested on suspicion of murder and later charged with additional offenses related to the same victim, 13-month-old Preston Davey, who died at Blackpool Victoria Hospital in July 2023.

Jamie Varley, 36, of Chandlers Way, Grimsargh, has been charged with:

  • Murder
  • Two counts of sexual assault of a male child under 13
  • Inflicting grievous bodily harm
  • Five counts of cruelty to a person under 16
  • Ten counts of taking indecent images of a child
  • Two counts of possessing indecent images of a child
  • One count of distributing an indecent image of a child
  • One count of possessing an extreme image

John McGowan-Fazakerley, 31, of Chandlers Way, Grimsargh, has been charged with:

  • Causing and allowing the death of a child
  • Two counts of cruelty to a person under 16
  • Sexual assault of a male child under 13

All the charges relate to the same victim, 13-month-old Preston Davey.

Key Takeaways:

  • Jamie Varley, a 36-year-old former teacher, has been charged with multiple counts of child abuse, including murder, sexual assault, and possession of indecent images.
  • John McGowan-Fazakerley, a 31-year-old man, has been charged with causing and allowing the death of a child and child neglect.
  • The charges relate to the same victim, 13-month-old Preston Davey, who died at Blackpool Victoria Hospital in July 2023.
  • Both Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley have been remanded into custody to appear at Lancaster Magistrates Court.
  • South Shore Academy has been approached for comment but has not made any statements.
  • The Crown Prosecution Service consulted with the police before charging the defendants.

Statistics:

  • Ten counts of taking indecent images of a child are included in the charges against Jamie Varley.
  • Two counts of sexual assault of a male child under 13 are included in the charges against Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley.
  • Five counts of cruelty to a person under 16 are included in the charges against Varley.
  • Two counts of possessing indecent images of a child are included in the charges against Varley.
  • One count of distributing an indecent image of a child is included in the charges against Varley.
  • One count of possessing an extreme image is included in the charges against Varley.

Sources:

  • Lancashire Police
  • Crown Prosecution Service
  • South Shore Academy
  • Blackpool Victoria Hospital

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