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Toddler killer Jamie Varley's neighbour reported him to police years before tragic Preston Davey's murder

A former neighbour has revealed the disturbing behaviour she says killer Jamie Varley displayed years before he murdered and sexually abused 13-month-old adopted toddler Preston Davey

[Photo of Jamie Varley]

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Jamie Varley is serving a whole-life order for the horrific murder of Preston Davey(Image: Lancashire Police/PA Wire)

A former neighbour reported murderer Jamie Varley to the police after he threw lit cigarettes at her childrens toys in a bid to set them on fire.

Varley, 37, is currently serving a rare whole-life order for the horrific murder and sexual abuse of his adopted 13-month-old son, Preston Davey, who was placed in the couples care in April 2023 at just nine months old before enduring horrific physical, sexual and emotional abuse at his hands.

On the day of his tragic death, July 27, 2023, defenceless Preston suffered two sexual assaults at the hands of the former secondary school teacher. Varleys former partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, was jailed for 25 years for his role in the abuse and murder.

[Preston Davey was just 13-months old when he was murdered]

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Preston Davey was just 13-months old when he was murdered(Image: Lancashire Police/PA Wire)

Now, months after Varleys sentencing, a former neighbour who lived next door to his family has spoken of the nightmare incidents she said she endured while living beside him.

The mother-of-five, who has fostered about a dozen children, said: He [Varley] was horrible. I had to report him to the police and to the housing association for anti-social behaviour and criminal damage but he was never arrested.

She said his behaviour left her fearing for her childrens safety. She added: He started shouting nasty abuse and ended up throwing lit cigarettes at their toys, trying to set them on fire.

She told the Daily Mail: I wouldnt let my children play in the front of the house because of him, not unless I was on the doorstep. When his family moved out [in 2014], we put the flags out. How on earth he got to be a secondary school teacher, I really dont know.

The neighbours account is one of several troubling details to have emerged about Varleys behaviour before Prestons murder. During the Covid lockdown, Varley reportedly injured his back after falling from a ladder or drainpipe while allegedly spying on a boyfriend - not McGowan-Fazakerley - whom he suspected of being unfaithful.

[McGowan-Fazakerley was sentenced to 25 years in prison]

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McGowan-Fazakerley was sentenced to 25 years in prison(Image: Lancashire Police/PA Wire)

Following his sentencing at Preston Crown Court last month, Varley joined the grim roll call of Britains most dangerous offenders condemned to die in prison. He joins offenders including Wayne Couzens, Levi Bellfield and Jeremy Bamber.

Preston was born to convicted murderer Sarah Davey on June 16, 2022. Just five days later, the 5lb 7oz baby was taken into the care of Oldham Council. Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley were approved as adoptive parents in January 2023 before Preston moved into their Blackpool home in April that year.

Over the following months, Preston suffered escalating physical, sexual and emotional abuse at the hands of Varley, while McGowan-Fazakerley turned a blind eye. On July 23, 2023, the pair carried out a joint attack on the toddler as he slumped helplessly over the bars of his cot.

Four days later, on July 27, Preston was rushed to Blackpool Victoria Hospital in cardiac arrest. Despite the efforts of medics, he was pronounced dead at 7.18pm.

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