Baby sexually abused before death by teacher adopting him, court told
A “fit and healthy” 13-month-old bub who had been adopted by a teacher and his partner died with 40 injuries to his body, a court has heard.
A teacher sexually assaulted a baby boy he was adopting then filmed him as he lay dying on the bed, a murder trial heard today.
Little Preston Davey was allegedly “routinely ill-treated” by Jamie Varley, who took indecent pictures and videos of the 13-month-old.
Jurors heard Varley, 37, filmed Preston being spun so fast in a saucer at a play area on one occasion that his eyes appeared to go in different directions.
He also allegedly forced the toddler to stay awake and filmed himself deliberately startling the baby, The Sun reports.
Varley and his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley are both accused of sexually assaulting Preston, who they were in the process of formally adopting.
Preston Crown Court heard McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was aware of the psychological and physical abuse Varley was inflicting but allegedly “wilfully neglected to protect Preston”.
The youngster was rushed to hospital on three occasions before his death suffering from breathing difficulties, seizures, a nose bleed and a fracture to his arm.
Staff noticed facial bruising but it was explained sufficiently by the defendants and he recovered quickly, the court heard.
In July last year, Varley allegedly caused Preston serious internal injuries after he sexually assaulted him at home in Blackpool, Lancashire.
Jurors heard he then failed to call for help and instead caused the bub further harm.
A video later found on his phone showed Preston lying on a bed in respiratory arrest with his lips blue, it was said.
The court heard McGowan-Fazakerly had been at work and Varley was the sole carer for Preston that day.
He was eventually rushed to Blackpool Victoria Hospital where he died from an acute obstruction of his upper airway.
Jurors were told this was caused either by smothering with a hand or fabric or the insertion of an object into Preston’s mouth.
The baby also had 40 other traumatic injuries – including 30 external bruises, a fracture to his upper left arm and internal bruising to his mouth, throat and other parts of his body.
https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/baby-sexually-abused-before-death-by-teacher-adopting-him-court-told/news-story/365500163989cb0f8341da72dbbb8477