PRESTON DAVEY CASE: THE 40-INJURY TIMELINE AND THE DIGITAL EVIDENCE THAT HELPED EXPOSE WHAT HAPPENED

The case of 13-month-old Preston Davey has revealed a deeply disturbing timeline of abuse during the four months he spent in the home of the couple who were in the process of adopting him.

The latest verified court and police evidence shows that the story is far more detailed than a simple claim of an accident in a bath.

MORE THAN 40 TRAUMATIC INJURIES

A Home Office postmortem examination found that Preston had suffered 40 traumatic injuries during the period he was in the care of Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazakerley.

The injuries included at least 30 external bruises, internal injuries to his mouth and throat, injuries to his anus, bowel and bladder, and a healing fracture to his left upper arm that was determined to be non-accidental.

The Crown Prosecution Service said the medical evidence showed injuries consistent with sexual assault occurring both shortly before Preston’s death and during the weeks leading up to it.

 THE DIGITAL TRAIL

Investigators recovered photographs and videos from Varley’s phone that became crucial evidence at trial.

Police said material recovered from the device showed Preston had suffered physical cruelty at different points after entering the home.

One video recorded on July 24, 2023 showed Preston left alone in a bath for more than 14 minutes while he appeared distressed and attempted unsuccessfully to get out.

Then came the final day.

At 4:45 p.m. on July 27, 2023, Varley recorded a video showing Preston on a bed struggling to breathe and in obvious discomfort, according to Lancashire Police.

That timestamp has become one of the most important pieces of the prosecution timeline.

THE FINAL HOURS

According to police evidence, Preston was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital at approximately 6:24 p.m., unconscious and in cardiac arrest.

Doctors and medical staff attempted to save him, but he was pronounced dead at approximately 7:20 p.m.

Varley initially told medical staff and police that Preston had accidentally drowned after being left briefly in a bath.

But the medical evidence did not support that explanation.

Preston arrived at hospital completely dry, and the postmortem examination ruled out drowning.

 WHAT ACTUALLY CAUSED HIS DEATH?

The postmortem established that Preston died from acute upper-airway obstruction.

The medical findings indicated that the obstruction resulted either from smothering or from an object or objects being inserted into his mouth.

Prosecutors argued that the fatal assault occurred while Varley was alone with Preston.

The police timeline states that Varley recorded the child struggling to breathe at 4:45 p.m., while the couple did not arrive at hospital until after 6:20 p.m.

 THE WARNING SIGNS HAD STARTED MONTHS EARLIER

The evidence did not begin with July 27.

Police said Varley had taken his first video of Preston by April 17, 2023, only weeks after the child entered the home.

Additional images and videos recovered from the phones showed evidence that prosecutors said demonstrated physical cruelty during the following months.

Preston was also taken to hospital several times before his death, including visits for a chest infection, fever and a fractured arm.

The cumulative evidence ultimately allowed investigators and prosecutors to construct a timeline extending far beyond the final day.

THE COURTROOM CASE IS NOW OVER

Importantly, this is no longer an ongoing allegation against Varley.

On June 15, 2026, Jamie Varley was convicted of murder, child cruelty, sexual offenses and offenses involving indecent images of Preston.

His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, was convicted of allowing the death of a child, child cruelty and sexual assault.

Three days later, Varley received a whole-life order, meaning he will remain in prison for the rest of his life. McGowan-Fazakerley received a 25-year prison sentence.

THE TIMELINE THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

April 2023: Preston begins living with the couple.

April–July: Investigators later recover photographs, videos and other digital evidence documenting incidents involving the child.

May–July: Preston suffers repeated injuries and several medical issues.

July 24: A video shows Preston left unattended in a bath for more than 14 minutes.

July 27, 4:45 p.m.: Varley records Preston struggling to breathe.

July 27, 6:24 p.m.: Preston arrives at hospital unconscious and in cardiac arrest.

July 27, around 7:20 p.m.: Preston is pronounced dead.

July 31: The postmortem identifies acute upper-airway obstruction and approximately 40 traumatic injuries.

June 15, 2026: Varley is convicted of murder and other offenses.

June 18, 2026: Varley receives a whole-life order.

💔 ONE CHILD. FOUR MONTHS. MORE THAN 40 INJURIES.

The evidence ultimately presented to the jury showed that Preston’s final day could not be separated from the pattern of injuries and digital evidence that investigators uncovered from the preceding months.

What initially was presented as an accidental drowning was ultimately rejected by the medical evidence.

And the 4:45 p.m. video showing Preston struggling to breathe became one of the most striking timestamps in a case that ended with Jamie Varley being sentenced to spend the rest of his life behind bars.