Jamie Farley has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a 13-month-old baby.
A teacher has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the sexual assault and murder of a 13-month-old boy he adopted with his partner, bringing an end to a case investigators described as one of the most disturbing they have encountered.Jamie Farley, 37, received a life order from Preston Crown Court on Thursday for the murder of Preston Davie, meaning he will never be released from prison. The Guardian newspaper reported that his accomplice, John McGowan Fazackerley (32 years old), was sentenced to 25 years in prison after being convicted of sexual assault, cruelty to children, and allowing the killing of a child.The court heard that Preston spent the first months of his life in a foster home before the couple adopted him in April 2023.
Less than four months after they moved to their home near Blackpool, the little boy died.Prosecutors said Preston was routinely physically and sexually assaulted while living with the couple. Evidence presented during the trial showed that he had suffered 40 separate injuries during his care.When Preston was taken to the hospital on July 27, 2023, Farley claimed the child accidentally drowned after being left unattended in the bathroom.
However, medical evidence soon cast doubt on this account.Jurors learned that Preston’s hair was dry, he was still wearing a diaper, and there was no evidence he had swallowed water. A post-mortem examination by the Home Office later ruled out drowning and concluded that he died after an object or objects obstructed his airway.The trial also heard that Preston had previously been taken to hospital on multiple occasions with bruises and other injuries which raised concerns among medical staff.After an eight-week trial, jurors found Farley guilty of murder and a string of other offences, including sexual assault of a child, grievous bodily harm, cruelty to children and indecent image offences.McGowan-Fazzackerley was found guilty of permitting the murder of a child, cruelty to children and sexual assault.Chief Inspector Andy Fallows said the abuse began shortly after Preston was placed with the couple.He described the pair as “absolutely vicious” and said: “For the first nine months of his life, Preston was a happy, healthy baby, but by the end he was a broken shell.”The judge said the seriousness of Farley’s crimes justified one of the most serious sentences available under English law, ensuring he would spend the rest of his life behind bars.