Baby Preston’s killer ‘fears he'll end up like Ian Watkins’ in jail
Baby Preston’s evil killer ‘fears he'll end up like Ian Watkins’ in tough new jail
Jamie Varley is having a 'tough time' in jail, a source says
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Add us as preferred source By Jon King, News Reporter 08:42, Mon, Jun 22, 2026 Updated: 08:46, Mon, Jun 22, 2026 
Baby Preston's evil killer fears he will end up like Lostprophets paedophile Ian Watkins, a media report claims. Jamie Varley, 37, was told he would die in jail after murdering 13-month-old Preston.
Varley, who adopted the child with his partner, ex-public schoolboy John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was given a whole life term and told he will never be eligible for parole after his conviction for a murder which "shocked the nation". He is being held at Preston Prison in Lancashire, but he reportedly fears being transferred to a high-security jail.
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The killer has reportedly said: "I will end up like Ian Watkins."
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Watkins, 48, died after he was allegedly stabbed in the neck at HMP Wakefield in October last year. Rashid Gedel and Samuel Dodsworth have been charged with murder.
A source told The Sun that Varley is having a "tough time" but things will only get worse for him.
The former teacher is reportedly listed as an escape risk because he has either talked about escaping or tried to.
It is understood the escape risk status means Varley will be subject to greater scrutiny, including regular checks and not being allowed outside or in communal areas.
The source said "the worst thing" about it is that inmates have to wear a yellow and green jumpsuit - known as "patches" - which mark them out for being under the spotlight.
Varley was sentenced on Thursday (June 18). McGowan-Fazakerley was jailed for 25 years for allowing Varley’s treatment of the child and taking part in the sexual abuse.
Jurors at the trial heard Preston was treated as a "plaything" and routinely sexually assaulted and physically abused after the couple adopted him when he was nine months old.
Mr Justice Turner said Varley’s "growing and selfish resentment towards Preston" played a part in the abuse.
The judge said his professional background as a teacher together with his "charm and easy manner" was used to reassure others that all was well.
Preston had been “thriving”, a little boy who “lit up the room” with smiles, the court heard.
But in the under four months he was in the care of Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley, he was routinely ill-treated, had indecent images and videos taken of him and suffered 40 traumatic injuries.
A social services investigation is under way but Dame Rachel de Souza, Children’s Commissioner for England, has already described the “harrowing” case as a failure of state safeguarding.
Preston’s cause of death was found to be acute upper airway obstruction by an object or objects inserted into his mouth.
His biological mother and grandmother, Sarah and Debbie Davey, sat in the public gallery during the sentencing and sobbed throughout the hearing.
When his biological mother was 14, she was jailed for the “unspeakably wicked” murder of a frail pensioner in 1998. She had been in and out of prison since then.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
