The Crime Desk, Arresting Podcasts.

Welcome to the trial UK, the tragic life of Preston Davy. I'm Caroline Cheatham.

And I'm Liz Hull. So Caroline, another update episode from Preston Crown Court today because in the last few minutes, the second man on trial here, accused of not only abusing his adopted son, but also allowing his death, has started to tell the jury his

version of events.

Yeah, today John McGowan for Zachley told the jury he and his partner, Jamie Varley,

doted on their adopted son.

He said Jamie Varley took to parenting like a duck to water, and he wrapped their son

in cotton wool.

He said he'd never seen Jamie Varley hit, punch, kick, poke, prod, smack or bite, Preston.

And he said that if he'd ever suspected his son was in danger, he would have grabbed him and run out of the front door to protect him.

And he said on the day that Preston died, his world collapsed. So, as we said, this is John

McGowan for Zachallie. He's the partner of Jamie Varley and we know together as a couple they

adopted Preston Davie in April 2023.

By July, Preston was dead and the case we know against Jamie Varley is

he physically, sexually and psychologically abused Preston before he murdered him.

That is the allegation.

He denies that and last week we brought you what he

told the jury about how loved Preston was, how much he was wanted and cared for, and that he did

not cause his injuries or his death. The case against John McGowan for Sackley is different. He's also facing cruelty charges,

one count of sexual assault, and he's also accused of causing or allowing the death of Preston.

Essentially, that allegation is he must have known that he was being mistreated and he was complicit

and involved in some of the abuse he suffered.

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