UMVA has learned that Jamie Varley, 37, was questioned about the day 13-month-old Preston Davey died, with his barrister repeatedly asking if he had fabricated the bath story to cover up a deliberate assault on the child.
Varley was adamant that he had not made up the story, and expressed his feelings of loss and frustration, stating that he and his partner had not been given time to grieve and were still seeking answers about Preston's death.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Varley's pathologist, Professor Jack Crane, was closer to what he experienced on the day of Preston's death, and Varley maintained that the allegations against him were wrong and "could not be further from the truth."
Varley described the events of the day Preston died, claiming that the child had not had his usual nap and he had put him in bed with him before nodding off, and when he woke up, Preston was not well.
He alleged that he filmed Preston having what he believed to be a seizure, and then ran a bath for the child, but when he returned to the bathroom, Preston was off his seat and in the water, and began vomiting heavily.
Varley claimed that he put his fingers in Preston's mouth as he thought he might be choking, but despite his efforts, Preston lost consciousness, and medics were unable to revive him.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Dr. Alison Armour, who carried out a post-mortem examination, found non-accidental internal and external injuries, including a human bite mark on Preston's right buttock, and over 30 bruises.
The jury has heard that Preston had internal injuries to his deep throat, bladder, and bottom, with some injuries consistent with "forcible penetration" and clinical signs of sexual abuse.
Dr. Joanne Gifford, an expert in child sexual abuse, has told the court that in her opinion, Preston showed signs of suffering sexual, physical, and emotional abuse.
Varley denied ever having sexually or physically abused Preston, and his barrister asked if he accepted the cause of death put forward by the prosecution, Varley replied that he did not.
The trial continues, with Varley and his co-accused, John McGowan-Fazakerley, denying various charges, including murder, manslaughter, and child cruelty.
