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The Trial
High School Stabbing - Over to the Jury
Season 11, Ep. 11
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The jury in the trial of the killer of Harvey Willgoose are now considering their verdict.
They’ve heard all of the evidence and the decision on whether the 15 year old boy on trial is guilty of murder or manslaughter now rests with them. In this episode Caroline and Jack have the final instructions the judge gave them before she told them to start their deliberations.
The Trial of the High School Stabbing is part of the Crime Desk. Press here to subscribe today for ad-free listening, full access to all our shows, early access to new shows, and bonus episodes.
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Presenters: Caroline Cheetham and Liz Hull
Editor: Chelsea Moore
Creative Director: Caroline Cheetham
Producer: Sam Morris
Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini
Voice Actors: Lucy Ryan and Rhys Hanson
A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.
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The Trial series uses actors and some voices generated by AI. Their words are taken as verbatim from the official court transcript.
Click here to sign up to The Crime Desk's weekly newsletter.
It's free and packed with exclusive interviews, expert insight, and gripping deep dive investigations from across the world.
A Daily Mail production.
Seriously Popular.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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13. The Tragic Life Of Preston Davey: “Your worst fears”
39:13||Season 17, Ep. 13In this episode John McGowan-Fazakerley tells the jury how he turned detective to try to piece together what caused his adopted son, Preston Davey, to die. He said he knew now that his trust in Jamie Varley had been misplaced because he hadn't known the extent of the disturbing content on his phone. John McGowan-Fazakerley denied ever abusing or harming Preston - he said the allegations were abhorrent and vile - but he was asked repeatedly why traces of his semen were found on Preston's cot.Subscribe via thecrimedesk.comFollow us on TikTok @DailyMailCrimeEmail us thetrial@dailymail.comWhatsApp us +447796657512 (start your message with ‘Trial’)Presenter: Caroline Cheetham and Liz HullEditor: Chelsey RanoreCreative Director: Caroline CheethamProduction Manager: Vittoria Cecchini
12. Update Episode - The Tragic Life Of Preston Davey: John McGowan-Fazakerley
19:13||Season 17, Ep. 12In this update episode Caroline and Liz have the moment John McGowan-Fazakerley told his story. As he gave evidence for the first time, he said he and his partner Jamie Varley doted on their son. He also said he'd never seen Jamie Varley hit, punch, kick, poke, prod, smack or bite Preston and he said if he ever suspected his son was his danger, he would have grabbed him and run out of the front door to protect him.Subscribe via thecrimedesk.comFollow us on TikTok @DailyMailCrimeEmail us thetrial@dailymail.comWhatsApp us +447796657512 (start your message with ‘Trial’)Presenter: Caroline Cheetham and Liz HullActors: Lucy RyanEditor: Chelsey RanoreCreative Director: Caroline CheethamProduction Manager: Vittoria Cecchini
11. The Tragic Life Of Preston Davey: Preston’s “brilliant life”
38:09||Season 17, Ep. 11In this episode Caroline and Liz have the cross-examination of Jamie Varley. He denies the prosecution’s claims that he abused Preston to punish him because he was struggling with being his main carer and resented his partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, for working or being away.He also denies making up a ‘cock and bull story’ about how Preston died to cover his tracks.Instead he tells the jury that, although he made mistakes and was sometimes a little rough with Preston, he loved him and he had a brilliant life.He says he did not cause Preston’s bruises, or sexually abuse or murder him.Subscribe via thecrimedesk.comFollow us on TikTok @DailyMailCrimeEmail us thetrial@dailymail.comWhatsApp us +447796657512 (start your message with ‘Trial’)Presenter: Caroline Cheetham and Liz HullActors: Benny FiddimoreEditor: Chelsey RanoreCreative Director: Caroline CheethamProduction Manager: Vittoria Cecchini
10. Update Episode - The Tragic Life Of Preston Davey: “Your Plaything”
07:13||Season 17, Ep. 10In this emergency update episode Caroline and Liz have the moment Jamie Varley’s story was picked apart. He was accused by the prosecutor of abusing Preston for his own amusement and gratification, of killing him, and then inventing a “cock and bull” story to cover it up.Subscribe via thecrimedesk.comFollow us on TikTok @DailyMailCrimeEmail us thetrial@dailymail.comWhatsApp us +447796657512 (start your message with ‘Trial’)Presenter: Caroline Cheetham and Liz HullActors: Benny FiddimoreEditor: Chelsey RanoreCreative Director: Caroline CheethamProduction Manager: Vittoria Cecchini A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.
9. The Tragic Life Of Preston Davey: Divided
31:20||Season 17, Ep. 9In this episode Caroline and Liz have more of the evidence from Jamie Varley as he continues to give evidence in his own defence. He told the jury he didn’t agree with the medical evidence that Preston died because his airway was deliberately obstructed. He also said he didn’t lie to his partner, John McGowan Fazakerley, about what happened on the day Preston died. He also said the couple hadn’t been given time to grieve the loss of their son. Subscribe via thecrimedesk.comFollow us on TikTok @DailyMailCrimeEmail us thetrial@dailymail.comWhatsApp us +447796657512 (start your message with ‘Trial’)Presenter: Caroline Cheetham and Liz HullActors: Benny Fiddimore and Lucy RyanEditor: Chelsey RanoreCreative Director: Caroline CheethamProduction Manager: Vittoria Cecchini A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.
8. The Tragic Life Of Preston Davey: Jamie Varley
29:14||Season 17, Ep. 8In this episode Jamie Varley tells his story. As the defence case gets underway Jamie Varley entered the witness box to deny abusing or killing Preston Davey. He said he was the safest person in the world for Preston and being a teacher and a daddy was all he ever wanted. He also denied keeping pictures on his phone which were “trophies” of Preston being sexually abused. But he said he accepted looking back that some of the footage was inappropriate.Subscribe via thecrimedesk.comFollow us on TikTok @DailyMailCrimeEmail us thetrial@dailymail.comWhatsApp us +447796657512 (start your message with ‘Trial’) Presenter: Caroline Cheetham and Liz HullActors: Sarah Gee, Oliver Sykes, Benny FiddimoreEditor: Chelsey RanoreCreative Director: Caroline CheethamProduction Manager: Vittoria Cecchini A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.
BONUS: The Tragic Life Of Preston Davey: "You've killed him Jamie."
15:28||Season 17In this extra episode Caroline and Liz have the moment Jamie Varley is faced with the extent of the allegations against him - and his reaction to them. He tells detective they are wrong that he sexually abused and murdered his adopted 13-month-old son, Preston Davey, and he will fight the allegations until the day he dies.Subscribe via thecrimedesk.comFollow us on TikTok @DailyMailCrimeEmail us thetrial@dailymail.comWhatsApp us +447796657512 (start your message with ‘Trial’) Presenter: Caroline Cheetham and Liz HullEditor: Chelsey RanoreCreative Director: Caroline CheethamProduction Manager: Vittoria Cecchini A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.
7. The Tragic Life Of Preston Davey: “Frozen Watchfulness”
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6. The Tragic Life Of Preston Davey: Was Preston bitten and abused?
38:56||Season 17, Ep. 6In this episode Caroline and Liz have the medical evidence which the jury were told were consistent with Preston Davey being bitten and sexually assaulted before he died. A pathologist with 40 years experience said she found evidence that he could have been smothered or he may have died from having something forced into his mouth. She also said he suffered bruises which were not accidental. Preston was 13 months old when he died within four months of being in the care of Jamie Varley and John McGowan Fazakerley who were in the process of adopting him. The prosecution say he was abused and murdered. Subscribe via thecrimedesk.comFollow us on TikTok @DailyMailCrimeEmail us thetrial@dailymail.comWhatsApp us +447796657512 (start your message with ‘Trial’) Presenter: Caroline Cheetham and Liz HullProducer: Chelsey RanoreEditor: Chelsey RanoreCreative Director: Caroline CheethamProduction Manager: Vittoria Cecchini A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.