Former colleague exposes Jamie Varley’s manipulative behavior years before child murder
The horrific trial and subsequent whole-life sentencing of Jamie Varley have left a trail of emotional devastation that extends far beyond the immediate legal system. Varley, a 37-year-old former secondary school teacher and head of year, is serving a permanent prison sentence for the systematic abuse and murder of his 13-month-old adopted son, Preston Davey. Now, one of Varley’s former close friends and high-school colleagues has broken her silence, detailing how the killer routinely displayed deeply self-absorbed, rude, and manipulative traits long before his depraved actions came to light.
Speaking out on the Break The Ice YouTube channel, Elaine, a former Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) who later worked alongside Varley as a head of year, described the reality of their 14-year acquaintance. The pair shared an office and socialized in a tight-knit work group, but Elaine revealed that Varley was consistently a selfish and dramatic presence within their inner circle. She recounted that Varley was entirely incapable of demonstrating basic empathy, noting that when she underwent major bowel surgery, he was the sole member of their friend group who never reached out to ask about her health or recovery.
Elaine highlighted a specific incident following a work social event that permanently exposed Varley’s manipulative nature. After a night out that Elaine did not attend, Varley rushed into the office the following morning in an extreme state of anxiety, adamantly denying to multiple staff members that he had been drink-driving. It was later revealed that two colleagues had actively witnessed Varley driving under the influence, with one stating they would have reported him to the police had their phone battery not been dead. Rather than accepting responsibility, Varley went to extraordinary lengths to construct a lie, driving back to the location the next day to take a photo of his parked car in a calculated effort to fabricate proof of his innocence.
The former colleague also recalled a chilling phone call from Varley shortly after baby Preston had been murdered, long before the news became public. Varley contacted Elaine to casually mention that he was planning to move to Preston while continuing to commute to work. Looking back, Elaine realizes that Varley was actively probing her during the conversation to test whether news of the child’s tragic death had reached his former work associates, showcasing his cold and calculated mindset even in the immediate aftermath of the killing.
Despite describing Varley as a bossy, rude, and intrusive individual who frequently arrived at her home uninvited, Elaine emphasized that no one in his professional or social circle could have ever predicted he was capable of such extreme brutality. Preston Davey was found with over 40 distinct internal and external injuries, including severe trauma consistent with sexual assault, before Varley smothered him and falsely claimed he had drowned in a bathtub. Varley’s partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, was subsequently sentenced to 25 years for his role in causing or allowing the child’s death.
Elaine explained that she decided to speak publicly to set the record straight and defend herself against online harassment from people attacking those who previously knew the killer. Expressing her hope that Varley suffers for the rest of his natural life behind bars, she noted that his manipulative “mask” has finally been shattered forever. While former colleagues try to rebuild their lives away from the shadow of his crimes, the stark revelations provide a deeper look into the narcissism and deceit that defined Varley’s character long before he committed one of the nation’s most notorious domestic crimes.
