DAILY COURT UPDATE – A Home Office forensic pathologist has delivered some of the most critical and disturbing evidence to date in the trial of Jamie Varley and John McGowan‑Fazakerley, who are accused of murdering 18‑month‑old Preston Davey.

Dr Alison Armour, a consultant forensic pathologist with nearly four decades of experience, took the stand today to outline her findings from Preston’s post‑mortem examination evidence the prosecution says exposes a pattern of non‑accidental injuries, sexual abuse, and violent mistreatment.

Dr Armour told the jury that Preston did not drown, contradicting Varley’s claim that the toddler slipped under the bathwater.

Instead, she concluded that Preston died from acute upper airway obstruction, caused either by smothering or the insertion of an object or objects into his mouth shortly before death.

She described the injuries as abusive trauma, adding that several were unlike anything she had seen in her long career.

Key Findings Presented to the Jury:-

• Human Bite Mark , A 3.5cm circular bruise on Preston’s right buttock was “most likely” a human bite, based on its shape and configuration.

• Bruising Across the Body, Injuries were found on the forehead, mouth, back of the throat, and bottom.

• Evidence of Sexual Assault, Dr Armour identified injuries consistent with sexual abuse inflicted shortly before death.

• Bleeding in the Lungs, Suggesting significant trauma rather than accidental drowning.

• Unusual Injuries, She told the court she had “never seen injuries like these” in her 39‑year career.

Jurors were shown a video recovered from Varley’s phone, recorded around two weeks before Preston’s death.

In it, the toddler appears partially suspended in his cot, with his neck resting on the cot bar and his legs positioned unnaturally.

Dr Armour stated “Preston is in a very unsafe position which she considers dangerous. She says the position risks restricting his airways which could be fatal.”

Later images from the same series show Preston with blue lips which she says are consistent with a lack of oxygen.

The trial continues, with further medical and forensic evidence expected in the coming days.

Updated – 13th May 2026