Recap: What we have heard from court so farpublished at 11:45 BST
Jonny Humphries
North West
Powerful and distressing statements were delivered this morning in Preston Crown Court from the biological mother and foster parents of Preston Davey.
Preston’s birth mother Sarah Davey said she “fell completely in love with him” the moment he was placed in her arms.
But she said the memories she has of baby Preston are “now mixed with pain”.
Foster parents Sandra and Paul Cooper said they now fear what will happen in future when children they foster are placed with adoptive parents.
Image source, Handout
On the legal issues facing the judge, we know that a life sentence for Varley is mandatory, but the question remaining is whether it should have a minimum prison term before he can apply for parole or not.
His barrister, Nicholas Johnson KC, urged the judge to stop short of a whole-life order – suggesting Varley had not meant to kill Preston.
Johnson suggested to the court Varley had a “sexual motive”. He also pointed to his successful teaching career as personal mitigation.
The court also heard that his partner McGowan-Fazakerley was ‘previously of good character’ and had a lack of previous convictions.
Mr Justice Turner has adjourned to consider his sentencing remarks.
