Jamie Varley, a 37-year-old teacher, denies sexually abusing and murdering 13-month-old Preston Davey, who died in July 2023. The BBC and other outlets report that Varley tells the court he is ashamed and denies he injured Preston, including allegations that he recorded “horrible” video footage. During the trial, prosecutors contend Preston’s injuries were caused by Varley, while his partner, 32-year-old John McGowan-Fazakerley, is accused of allowing Preston’s death. Reports say that a few weeks before Preston’s death, the couple brought him to Blackpool Victoria Hospital with an apparent fever. Multiple accounts describe Varley telling medical staff words to the effect of “you will think we are abusing him” after noticing a bruise on Preston’s forehead. BBC coverage also recounts Varley saying “I’m going to hell” while cradling the baby in court. Separately, Daily Mail reports that McGowan-Fazakerley told police that when Preston became ill Varley was panicking, and that he later felt “like I was in a soap” before collapsing and dying in hospital. The trial is presented as ongoing, with both men maintaining denials of their alleged roles.