Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazackerley both deny all offences. WARNING: This article contains distressing details

A couple subjected a toddler they were in the process of adopting to sleep deprivation and sexual assaults before he died, a court heard.

Preston Davey had been placed with Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazackerley at their Blackpool home in April 2023 when he was nine months old, Lancs Live reported.

Over the course of the following three months, until Preston’s death on July 27 that year, the couple are alleged to have repeatedly sexually assaulted Preston and inflicted serious injuries said to have been caused by 37-year-old Varley sexually assaulting the toddler.

Click here to hear the latest from Manchester’s courts in our newsletter

The couple today (Monday April 27) went on trial at Preston Crown Court accused of a total of 29 offences. Varley, a former teacher, is accused of murdering Preston as well as 25 further charges of sexually and physically mistreating the child.

McGowan-Fazackerley, 32, is charged with causing or allowing the death of the child, sexual assault and four other offences relating to neglect and ill-treatment. Both men, of Chandlers Way, Grimsargh, deny all charges.

A jury made up of seven men and seven women was sworn in this afternoon before Peter Wright KC opened the case on behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service.

Mr Wright KC warned the jury from the outset that the trial would likely last six weeks and include distressing details, images and videos. Some of those images and videos, taken from Varley’s phone, were shown to jurors including a series of three pictures which showed a sleeping Preston slumped over the bars of his cot.

The prosecutor said that stains in the cot were examined and were “consistent with the presence of fluid containing saliva, the microscopic characteristics of a sperm cell and a mixed DNA result that could have originated from cells from Preston and Mr McGowan-Fazackerley were found”.

The court heard that Preston had been born on June 16 in 2022. In April 2023, when he was nine months old, he was placed in the defendants’ care as they looked to formally adopt him.

Mr Wright KC said: “The defendants were living together as a couple at an address in Blackpool. They had been together as a couple for some considerable time. Less than four months later, at about 6.30pm on Thursday July 27 in 2023 Preston was brought to the accident and emergency department at Blackpool Victoria Hospital by these defendants.

“Preston was unconscious and he was in a state of cardiac arrest. His heart had stopped. By now he was aged just 13 months. Despite the best efforts of medical staff Preston was in terminal decline. His condition was irreversible and at 7.20pm that evening he was pronounced dead.

“A post mortem examination revealed the cause of his death to be, in the opinion of the pathologist, the result of acute upper airways obstruction. In the opinion of the forensic pathologist that obstruction which led to his death was as a result either of a smothering, most likely with a hand or soft fabric, or by the insertion of an object or objects into his mouth.

“Someone, with something, so compromised this little boy’s ability to breathe that he was smothered to death. This tragedy was not some unforeseen accident or natural phenomenon. The evidence gathered revealed a much more sinister pathology.”

The prosecutor outlined some of the injuries which Preston sustained and which the Crown alleges were caused by the defendants.

“In his brief life [Preston] was routinely ill treated, sexually abused and physically assaulted,” the KC said. “At the time of Preston’s death he was found to have sustained around 40 traumatic injuries over the course of the time he had been in their care.

“He had a healing fracture to his left upper arm that was non-accidental.”

Jurors were told that Varley is accused of taking various images of Preston “in a state of undress in which the focus is the genitalia of that little boy” including when he and Preston were in the bath together. Varley is said to have sent some of these images and videos to McGowan-Fazackerley.

Turning to the day of Preston’s death, July 27 in 2023, Mr Wright KC said: “These events took place in the defendant’s home when Jamie Varley was the only person at home.

“It was only later, when Preston’s condition became so extreme that it led to his collapse, that the defendant Jamie Varley together with his then recently-returned partner Mr McGowan-Fazackerley took that little boy 0.9 miles to the hospital. They didn’t live very far away. But it was all too late.”

Turning to McGowan-Fazackerley’s role on the day Preston died, the prosecutor added: “He was working in the Manchester area and it was only when he returned home they took that little boy to the hospital.

“But that doesn’t absolve him. He had joint responsibility for Preston’s care and his well-being. Mr McGowan-Fazackerley failed to take steps to protect Preston. The unlawful act that caused his death occurred in circumstances that he foresaw or ought to have foreseen. He must have known about it and we say he had, on one occasion, participated in sexual assault.”

‘No stranger to A&E’

The court heard that Preston “was no stranger to Blackpool Victoria Hospital”. The prosecutor said: “After he was placed with [the defendants] Preston was admitted to Blackpool Victoria on three occasions in May, late June and early July with a variety of ailments including difficulty breathing, seizures, a nosebleed and a fracture to his elbow.

“Staff noticed facial bruising but it was explained by the defendants. On admission Preston appeared to recover quickly from any reported breathing difficulties or abnormality. Although physicians put it down to non-specific viral chest infections the tests conducted after death disclosed findings that were consistent with earlier episodes of respiratory obstruction.”

Mr Wright KC said that in one video found on Varley’s phone Preston was being spun on a playground ride “at such a force that his eyes were going in opposite directions”. That video was later set to music with Preston’s eyelids “spinning round and round which Mr Varley clearly thought was amusing and sent to a friend,” he added.

The jurors were also shown a video showing Preston struggling to keep his eyes open while sat up with very loud music playing in the room which keeps waking him.

The trial continues.

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, has been charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump after allegedly trying to storm the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner with guns and knives.

Advertisement

A man who purportedly attempted to force his way into the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner while armed with guns and knives has been charged with trying to assassinate Donald Trump.

Cole Tomas Allen was apprehended following the shooting incident on Saturday evening and is facing charges in federal court in Washington.

He made his court appearance on Monday to answer charges stemming from a tumultuous confrontation that saw shots fired, Trump being swiftly escorted from the stage, and attendees taking cover beneath their tables.

Officials report that an officer clad in a bullet-resistant vest sustained a shot to the vest but is anticipated to make a full recovery.

Allen, a resident of Torrance, California, is being defended by solicitors from the federal defender’s office and sat alongside them in court dressed in a blue prison outfit. He faces additional charges of transporting a firearm and ammunition across state lines and discharging a firearm during a violent crime. No plea was entered, reports the Mirror.

Advertisement

Authorities have yet to disclose a motive, though in a message that officials claim was sent by Allen to relatives moments prior to the attack, Allen described himself as a “Friendly Federal Assassin,” made numerous references to the Republican president without explicitly naming him, and alluded to complaints concerning various Trump administration policies.

Investigators are treating these writings, alongside a series of social media activity and discussions with family members, as amongst the most compelling evidence of the suspect’s state of mind and potential motivations.

Allen, aged 31, is understood to have journeyed by rail from California to Chicago before continuing to Washington, where he registered as a guest at the hotel hosting the gala dinner, which featured characteristically stringent security measures, according to acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.

Advertisement

Footage shared by Trump depicts a man, whom authorities claim was carrying firearms and bladed weapons, sprinting past a security barrier while Secret Service personnel rushed towards him and successfully tackled him to the ground.

Police have stated previously that the suspect was staying at the Washington Hilton, the venue for the dinner, and they are confident he operated independently.

Documentation reveals Allen is a well-qualified tutor and hobbyist video game creator. A social media account belonging to an individual with an identical name and photograph that seemingly corresponds to the suspect indicates he has been employed part-time over the past six years at a firm providing admissions guidance and examination preparation services to prospective university students.

Matheus Cunha is not in the Manchester United squad to face Brentford on Monday night, with Michael Carrick revealing he is suffering with a hip issue.

The Brazilian started and scored the only goal of the game as Manchester United beat Chelsea 1-0 at Stamford Bridge in their last outing on April 18.

However, he was not only not in the starting XI as the Red Devils hosted the Bees on Monday, but he wasn’t even on the bench.

Manchester United’s interim manager, Michael Carrick, revealed that the Brazil international is struggling with a hip issue.

It is not anything that will keep him out for long, but was enough to see him miss Monday night’s action.

‘He had a bit of a sore hip flexor after the game against Chelsea,’ Carrick told Sky Sports.

‘He was looking quite promising during the week. We thought he’d be okay but he didn’t quite progress quick enough. It’s nothing too serious but unfortunately he misses out tonight.’

In Cunha’s absence, Carrick went for a front three of Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Amad Diallo, with Bruno Fernandes behind.

Patrick Dorgu also returned to the squad, on the bench after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Ahead of the match, Carrick told MUTV: ‘Patrick’s looking to get back closer to the group in a very small part, which is fantastic, because he’s worked so hard over a period of time now.

‘So it’ll be good to have him back in and around the group within the next week or so.’

Carrick was also full of praise for Kobbie Mainoo, who is in the starting XI again on Monday, saying: ‘He’s got an awful lot of experience in big occasions and big games at such a young age.

‘We just want to get him on the pitch and feeling that rhythm again. He’s done terrific.

‘Against Chelsea he was as good as he’s been. I’m conscious not to overload him and overhelp him. If anything he’s done a lot of it himself.’

MORE: ‘Unique talent’ – Man Utd’s £52m transfer target backed to become ‘the new Frenkie de Jong’

MORE: Manchester United told to sign £43m Tottenham star to reach ‘the next level’

MORE: Mohamed Salah injury update as blow threatens to end Liverpool career early

Multinational manufacturing giant BYD has joined Teesside Airport as Gold Sponsor for the delegation which will be in the far east for a week.

The were joined by European Cargo, Autohorn, Sound Leisure, Tudor International, RJJ Software, Richmond International Academic & Soccer Academy, China Marketing Corp, Jolene and QL Consulating.

A spokesperson for BYD said: “BYD is proud to host the West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce Trade Mission.

RECOMMENDED READING:
West and North Yorkshire Chamber in Far East trade mission

“As an enthusiastic supporter of UK industry and employment, we welcome the opportunity to build our links with both local business and government representives.

“The chance to showcase how our technology and expertise can add value to partners, which is very exciting.”

Over the course of the visit, which began last week, the Chamber will host meetings with the British Consulate General Guangzhou, Yantian Port, the China Britain Business Council, HSBC and the Consulate General of Hong Kong, among many others.

The Chamber selected the Chinese cities of Guangzhou and Shenzhen, as well as Hong Kong, as the destinations based on recommendations from its membership and the mission follows highly successful visits to the United States, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

James Mason, chief executive of West & North Yorkshire Chamber, said: “At a time when there is so much instability for businesses transacting abroad, we want to use our tried and tested Chamber brand to give our members confidence to take their first-class goods and services around the planet.

“Given that the total trade between the UK and China was £102.3bn last year and that China remains the country’s fifth largest trading partner, it makes complete sense why our members want to forge greater connections with these territories.

“In an ever-shrinking world, we want to ensure our members get all the support they can to trade internationally.”

Cole Tomas Allen has been charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump after allegedly storming the White House Correspondents’ Dinner armed with guns and knives, calling himself a “Friendly Federal Assassin” in a message to family before the attack.

A man who allegedly attempted to force his way into the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner armed with guns and knives has been charged with trying to assassinate Donald Trump.

Cole Tomas Allen was arrested following the shooting on Saturday night and is facing charges in federal court in Washington.

He appeared before the court on Monday over allegations relating to a chaotic incident that saw shots fired, Trump bundled off the stage and guests diving for cover under their tables.

According to authorities, an officer wearing a bullet-resistant vest was struck in the vest but is expected to make a full recovery.

Allen, from Torrance, California, is being represented by lawyers from the federal defender’s office and sat alongside them in court dressed in a blue jail uniform. He also faces charges of transporting a firearm and ammunition across state lines and discharging a firearm during a violent crime. He has not yet entered a plea, reports the Mirror.

Prosecutors have not disclosed a motive, but in a message authorities claim was sent by Allen to family members moments before the attack, Allen described himself as a “Friendly Federal Assassin,” made repeated references to the Republican president without naming him and hinted at grievances concerning a variety of Trump administration policies.

Investigators are viewing the writings, together with a series of social media posts and interviews with relatives, as some of the strongest evidence of the suspect’s state of mind and potential motives. Allen, 31, is thought to have made his way by train from California to Chicago before continuing on to Washington, where he checked in as a guest at the hotel hosting the gala dinner, which typically operates under stringent security measures, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed.

Footage shared by Trump shows a man, whom authorities claim was carrying both guns and knives, sprinting past a security barrier as Secret Service agents rushed towards him and successfully tackled him to the ground.

Police had previously stated that the suspect was staying at the Washington Hilton, where the dinner was taking place, and they believe he acted entirely alone.

Records indicate that Allen is a highly educated tutor and amateur video game developer. A social media profile belonging to a man sharing the same name, accompanied by a photograph appearing to match the suspect, reveals he had been working part-time for the past six years at a firm providing admissions counselling and test preparation services to prospective college students.

Boxes of prosecco spilled across the carriageway from one of the lorries on Monday morning, leaving “significant debris” and “smashed glass throughout”, while the other lorry had its empty container dislodged, Thames Valley Police’s roads policing team said on social media.

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was taken into custody after the alleged Trump assassination attempt at the White House Correspondents’ dinner on Saturday night and appeared in federal court in Washington on Monday

Advertisement

A man who allegedly attempted to force his way into the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner while armed with guns and knives has been charged with trying to assassinate Donald Trump.

Cole Tomas Allen was arrested following the shooting on Saturday night and is facing charges in federal court in Washington.

He appeared before the court on Monday in connection with a chaotic incident that saw shots fired, Trump hurried from the stage and guests diving for cover beneath their tables.

Officials report that an officer wearing a bullet-resistant vest was struck in the vest but is anticipated to make a full recovery.

Allen, from Torrance, California, is being represented by lawyers from the federal defender’s office and sat alongside them in court wearing a blue jail uniform. He has additionally been charged with transporting a firearm and ammunition across state lines and with discharging a firearm during a violent crime. He has not yet entered a plea, reports the Mirror.

Advertisement

Prosecutors haven’t disclosed a motive, but in a message that authorities claim was sent by Allen to relatives moments before the attack, Allen described himself as a “Friendly Federal Assassin,” made numerous references to the Republican president without naming him and hinted at grievances concerning various Trump administration policies.

Investigators are treating these writings, combined with a history of social media activity and interviews with relatives, as some of the most compelling evidence of the suspect’s state of mind and potential motivations. Allen, 31, is understood to have made his way by train from California to Chicago before continuing on to Washington, where he checked in as a guest at the hotel hosting the gala dinner, which typically operates under stringent security measures, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche revealed.

Footage shared by Trump depicts a man, whom authorities allege was carrying both firearms and knives, sprinting past a security barrier as Secret Service agents rushed towards him and successfully tackled him to the ground.

Police had previously confirmed that the suspect was staying at the Washington Hilton, the venue for the dinner, and believe he carried out the act alone.

According to records, Allen is a highly qualified tutor and amateur video game developer. A social media profile belonging to a man of the same name, accompanied by a photograph appearing to match that of the suspect, indicates he had been working part-time for the past six years at a firm providing admissions guidance and test preparation services to prospective university students.

ITV’s new spy drama Secret Service starring Gemma Arterton is almost here.

Advertisement

ITV viewers won’t have to wait much longer for the arrival of espionage thriller Secret Service.

Featuring the talents of Gemma Arterton, Rafe Spall and Mark Stanley, spy drama Secret Service looks set to become ITV‘s next prime-time must-watch.

Following a mission in Malta, MI6 operative Kate Henderson (portrayed by Gemma Arterton) uncovers intelligence suggesting a leading politician vying for the role of Prime Minister may be compromised by Russian interests.

She must uncover the truth before time runs out while protecting her loved ones from those determined to silence her.

The countdown has nearly ended with Secret Service launching tonight, Monday, April 27, at 9pm on ITV.

Audiences can continue the journey the subsequent evening, Tuesday, April 28, at the identical time, though the broadcast pattern will then change.

Secret Service’s third through fifth episodes will drop across three consecutive evenings.

The third chapter airs at 9pm on Sunday, May 3, with the fourth and fifth episodes following on successive days.

Below is the complete ITV Secret Service episode transmission schedule:

Episode One: Monday, April 27

Episode Two: Tuesday, April 28

Episode Three: Sunday, May 3

Episode Four: Monday, May 4

Episode Five: Tuesday, May 5

But if you dont want to wait to find out how the thriller ends, all five episodes have now been released on ITVX.

Beyond the impressive ensemble and gripping storyline, Secret Service has the added appeal of being adapted from ITV News presenter Tom Bradby’s 2019 novel bearing the same title.

Discussing his work being adapted for television, he told Radio Times: “The aim was to make a really compulsive, high-octane, nerve-shredding but emotionally rich thriller.

“A spy story, family drama and political thriller all rolled into one. We want people to sit glued to their sofas and preferably stay up half the night to finish it.

“To succeed, we always knew it must land as a piece of mainstream entertainment.

“But I’d be doubly thrilled if we could achieve all that and have people chewing its ideas over with friends in the days afterwards.”

Secret Service premieres on Monday, April 27, at 9pm on ITV.

Donald Trump has called for Jimmy Kimmel to be fired over a joke the late-night host made about First Lady Melania Trump, calling her the “glow of an expectant widow”

Donald Trump has lashed out at a Jimmy Kimmel joke where he quipped that Melania Trump had the glow of an “expectant widow”.

The comedian made the remarks during an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live last Thursday, days before a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night.

“Our First Lady, Melania, is here. Look at Melania, so beautiful. Mrs Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow,” Kimmel said.

Trump has now taken to Truth Social demanding Kimmel be fired over the remarks, marking the latest chapter in a long-running feud between the pair. Trump previously cheered when Kimmel was suspended by broadcaster ABC following a monologue referencing the shooting of Charlie Kirk, in which he likened the US President’s grief to “how a 4-year-old mourns a goldfish”, reports the Mirror.

Trump has now posted on social media: “Wow, Jimmy Kimmel, who is in no way funny as attested to by his terrible Television Ratings, made a statement on his Show that is really shocking. He showed a fake video of the First Lady, Melania, and our son, Barron, like they were actually sitting in his studio, listening to him speak, which they weren’t, and never would be.”

“He then stated, “Our First Lady, Melania, is here. Look at Melania, so beautiful. Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow.” A day later a lunatic tried entering the ballroom of the White House Correspondents Dinner, loaded up with a shotgun, handgun, and many knives. He was there for a very obvious and sinister reason.

“I appreciate that so many people are incensed by Kimmel’s despicable call to violence, and normally would not be responsive to anything that he said but, this is something far beyond the pale. Jimmy Kimmel should be immediately fired by Disney and ABC. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from Torrance, California, is the suspected gunman who was allegedly armed with guns and knives when he stormed the Washington Hilton on Saturday night.

Melania also took to social media earlier today to urge ABC to “take a stand” against Kimmel and his programme. Writing on X, the First Lady stated: “Kimmel’s hateful and violent rhetoric is intended to divide our country. His monologue about my family isn’t comedy- his words are corrosive and deepens the political sickness within America. People like Kimmel shouldn’t have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate.

” A coward, Kimmel hides behind ABC because he knows the network will keep running cover to protect him. Enough is enough. It is time for ABC to take a stand. How many times will ABC’s leadership enable Kimmel’s atrocious behavior at the expense of our community.”

The Greens have come under pressure in recent weeks over social media posts made by a number of candidates, including some in Newcastle, ahead of the May 7 elections in which the party is expected to make massive gains from Labour.

That has included Philip Brookes, who is standing in the city’s Manor Park ward. A Facebook account in his name stated in one post about the war in Gaza that it “takes serious effort not to be a tiny bit antisemitic”.

It also posted an image of a statement he called a “bit provocative, but historically valid”, which branded Israel “just a bunch of Polish, Russian, Hungarian terrorists killing Palestinian people for 76 years”.

Asked if he would pull support for candidates found to have made antisemitic remarks, Mr Polanski said during a visit to Newcastle today (Monday, April 27): “It is important to say that I condemn whenever there has been any antisemitism – I do that both as a political leader, but also as someone who is Jewish.

“In fact, I am one of five people in British political history who have been Jewish and lead a political party.

“So antisemitism is personal for me. In the same breath, I have been accused sometimes of antisemitism when I have been criticising the Israeli government and their ongoing genocide.

“It is really important that we do not conflate genuine antisemitism with legitimate criticism of an Israeli government who are committing war crimes, I think that is really important.”

The Green Party leader added that he would not comment on or interfere in specific cases going through a disciplinary process.

Another of the Greens’ Newcastle candidates, Mohammed Suleman, has also come under scrutiny over what Newcastle City Council labelled an “act of environmental vandalism”.

Fenham Properties Ltd, of which Mr Suleman is a director, was fined thousands of pounds by magistrates last year after being prosecuted by the local authority for burning waste in a large bonfire on the grounds of the historic Pendower Hall in the West End.

The Arthur’s Hill ward candidate admitted to illegally disposing of waste and operating a facility to dispose of waste without an environmental permit at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court in June 2025.

Asked if the Greens’ vetting processes for candidates were sufficient, Mr Polanski pointed to the party’s rapid growth over recent months.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “The Green Party when I ran for leader had 55,000 members.

“We now have 226,000 members and we have quadrupled in the polls. So the scrutiny, as it should be, has increased. But also some of the silly political attacks have also increased in time too.

“I think there are a handful of cases where people have complained and we will take those very seriously. But I also think the public are pretty forgiving and recognise that we need perspective.

“Where you have 4,500 candidates, to have a handful of cases I would say is not some kind of big scandal. It just says, ultimately, you need to look at those cases on a bespoke basis and make sure the people representing you are suitable, that they are in the lines of the Green Party, and they want to make sure they are bringing in environmental, social, racial, and economic justice.

“I am confident that in the vast majority of, 99 per cent of cases,  that is exactly what has happened.”