For the murder and mistreatment of 13-month-old Preston Davey, Jamie Varley received a life sentence and John McGowan-Fazakerley received a 25-year sentence. A former prisoner cautions that the two have no idea what lies ahead for them in prison.
After months of physical abuse, psychological suffering, and sexual abuse, the 13-month-old infant was killed by his callous adoptive father, Jamie Varley. John McGowan-Fazakerley, Varley’s boyfriend, took part in the terrible mistreatment and was also accountable for Preston’s demise.
Varley was given a whole life term this week for his heinous acts, a punishment so rare that it is only given to the greatest criminals. McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for allowing a child to die, child abuse, and child sexual assault.
A convicted murderer tells the Mirror U.K. that the horrible couple will get a brutal reality check about how paedophiles and child killers are treated in jail after displaying zero remorse in the dock. After being released from prison and receiving a Queen’s Gallantry Medal for his part in stopping the infamous London Bridge attacker while on day release, Steve Gallant is now a changed man.
However, having spent 16 years behind cells with some of Britain’s most dangerous offenders, he is aware of the harsh reality of prison life. Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley will be regarded as the lowest of the low inside, he told The Mirror.
They have no prior convictions, so they have no idea what to anticipate,” Gallant stated.
The armed robber or gangster is at the top of that hierarchy, while the sex offender or someone who could be referred to as a “grass” is at the bottom and will receive poor treatment from the system.
This moral order has existed for a very long time,” he continued. The filthy couple will probably be kept in a vulnerable prisoner unit at a Category A facility, which houses those guilty of the most serious and violent crimes, because of the nature of their crimes.
This implies that they will be moved around the institution apart from the general public and have access to different locations, such as designated visiting places. That does not, however, ensure that they are safe against attacks.
Preston Davey passed away on July 27, 2023, at the age of 13 months (Photo: Lancashire Police/SWNS). “There’s still a hierarchy that exists there,” Gallant cautions.
In Frankland, Ian Huntley was on a comparable unit. They’re not safe even in those settings.
“They will be surrounded by staff, but once you enter the Cat A prisons where these two will wind up, you will see how dangerous and vulnerable those jails are, to the point that even those on VP units are extremely antagonistic toward one another,” Gallant continued. Following their punishment, both will most likely be put on suicide watch, but Gallant warns that this probably won’t protect them from attacks either.
I was placed on suicide watch after being found guilty many, many years ago, but I wasn’t segregated,” he recalled. “There was no additional surveying of me; I was still free to socialise. It simply meant that someone would visit my cell, check on me, and then depart once more. Therefore, it doesn’t significantly increase protection.
“Prisons are extremely unpleasant and violent environments, according to Gallant. There is violence everywhere, regardless of the type of prison you are in. I’m not playing it up when I say that. You’re talking about people that have major problems and are confined for years on end in a very small place, which leads to a really unstable scenario.”
According to Gallant, assaults in Category A facilities often include homemade weapons because “people have time on their hands.” Inmates sharpen the ends of things to create homemade shivs, a kind of makeshift blade.
The ex-offender remembers that pool cues were closely watched when he was incarcerated and had to be returned right away to avoid being sharpened into weapons.
“There’s also hot water,” says Gallant. “Every cell has a kettle. A tiny kettle that can possibly hold two cups. These kettles are plainly extremely hot even if they are not made to reach extremely high boiling temperatures. You would be severely damaged if that were hurled at you.
Gallant recounts another type of improvised attack during his stay at Frankland, in which prisoners collected tiny butter containers “the size of a thumbnail,” heated them to extract the water, and produced ghee. “It’s called gheeing someone up,” he says. “So they’re geeing that person up, throwing oil over them.”
During Gallant’s incarceration, a prisoner once had hot oil and boiling water thrown at them. Gallant said, “People occasionally get their cells burnt out.
“A prisoner would stray into their cell. They would take a cardboard box, fill it with cardboard, light it, place it beneath the bed, leave the cell, and close the door. The smoke would destroy it if it didn’t burn itself to pieces.”
“They’ll be ostracised in different ways anyway because of their offence, but I think if they do anything to upset somebody, that will certainly increase the chances of them being attacked, because they are already vulnerable and very likely to be disliked,” Gallant says in reference to the treatment that Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley might receive at the bottom of the prison hierarchy.
Nobody will back them. Nobody will support them. People with highly predatory inclinations abound on these wings; they will attack if they perceive weakness. Therefore, you’re susceptible if you’re alone,” Gallant stated. Like Ian Huntley, who Gallant observes was “naturally reviled” because of the seriousness of his crimes and the publicity surrounding his case, the two are unlikely to become well-known while incarcerated.
Because of what he did to that youngster, Varley will undoubtedly be extremely susceptible, even on the VP unit. And I think he’s going to be targeted at some point,” he remarked. Gallant thinks it won’t be possible to find work while incarcerated anytime soon.
The system won’t be familiar to them. They won’t be aware of it at all. A person who is familiar with the system will enter, obtain the best positions, know how to apply, and know how to place themselves. “I seriously doubt that finding a job will be their top priority,” Gallant said.
Gallant tells the Mirror that during his incarceration, such extortion mostly occurred with convicts in standard wings and goes on to say that the couple most likely won’t have to pay for security while staying on a VP unit. “Jamie Varley is an evil and monstrous individual who sexually, physically, and mentally abused a vulnerable baby for his own sadistic pleasure,” stated Detective Chief Inspector Andy Fallows, who oversaw the unsettling murder investigation, after Varley was sentenced. Little baby Preston died as a result of this mistreatment.
“The horror that Preston experienced throughout his brief life is beyond my comprehension. Following the conclusion of the criminal proceedings, a Child Safeguarding Practice Review will resume, examining any missed opportunities that would have spared Preston’s life.”A Child Safeguarding Practice Review will resume now the criminal proceedings have completed, looking into any potential missed opportunities that could have saved Preston’s life.
“The full scope of Preston Davey’s agony during his brief life has been made clear by this trial and sentencing session. The NSPCC said in a statement, “Finding out about the abuse he endured at the hands of Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley prior to his murder is horrific and extremely distressing, and it must drive thorough and meaningful review and scrutiny.”
“The Child Safeguarding Practice Review must determine whether more could have been done to safeguard Preston and how we may learn from any mistakes to prevent future tragedies whenever feasible. There are undoubtedly significant lessons to be learned from this horrible situation.
However, it’s important to bear in mind that everyone can contribute to keeping kids safe. We can build a safer environment for children to grow up in and help guarantee that no child falls through the gaps by asking questions, sometimes challenging ones, and sharing information or concerns with someone who can help,” it continued. “Anyone who has concerns about a child’s welfare or safety can call 0808 8005000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk, but if a child is in immediate danger, always call the police on 999.”
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