Brit dad is barely fined after son, 2, plummets 40ft to demise from Cyprus lodge window
Joshua Foster was handed a fine over the death of his two-year-old son who fell to his death from the fourth floor of a five-star resort in Cyprus on the first day of the family’s holiday
Joshua Foster arriving at Paphos District Court in Cyprus(Image: James Manning/the Press Association)
A British man has been slapped with a 3,000 euro (£2,500) penalty after his two-year-old son tragically fell nearly 40ft to his death from the fourth floor window of a hotel in Cyprus.
Joshua Foster believed the window was shut when he positioned the toddler on the sill to give him a glimpse of a waterpark and “lost control” of him, the court was previously informed.
The 37-year-old stood before Paphos District Court on Friday for sentencing after admitting guilt to a charge of causing death through a reckless, rash or dangerous act. Foster, who is employed as an auditor, donned a light blue shirt and fought back tears as his sentence was delivered by District Judge Froso Christodoulidou.
Foster was only fined over his son’s death(Image: James Manning/the Press Association)
Following the 25-minute hearing, Foster embraced his lawyer and then his parents.
The child plummeted from the fourth floor of the five-star King Evelthon Beach Hotel and Resort in Chlorakas on July 12, the first day of the family’s holiday.
The court had earlier heard that Foster, his wife, their two children and his in-laws had touched down in Cyprus in the early hours of the morning on the day of the tragic incident. After engaging in various activities, including a trip to the pool, the family retreated to their rooms to prepare for dinner.
The child plummeted from the fourth floor of the five-star King Evelthon Beach Hotel and Resort on the first day of the family’s holiday(Image: James Manning/the Press Association)
Around 6pm, Foster, his father-in-law and son made their way towards the lift, and his lawyer Alexandros Alexandrou informed the court that the defendant was in a “good mood” and interacting playfully with his son.
The court was told that as they neared the lift, the boy spotted a waterpark outside.
It was reported that Foster had pressed the lift button and placed the child on the windowsill, with the boy peering out just as the “unthinkable” occurred before Foster could react.
Mr Alexandrou informed the hearing, which took place on October 6, that from that moment, Foster’s life was “changed forever”. The court heard that Foster hadn’t realised a section of the window was open, assuming there was protective glass in place.
Prosecutor Chryso Pergandi stated that at approximately 6.40pm, police were alerted to reports of a child having fallen from the fourth floor of the beachfront hotel under mysterious circumstances.
The boy was rushed to Paphos General Hospital where, despite resuscitation attempts, he was declared dead. In a voluntary statement to the police, Foster explained that when he set his son on the windowsill, the boy “fell before he had a chance to grab him”.
Following the incident, Foster was taken to Paphos General Hospital where a blood sample was taken to test for drugs and alcohol. It was revealed that at the time of the incident – roughly six hours prior – the estimated alcohol concentration in his blood was 124mg.
However, the alcohol consumption did not play a significant role in the case against the defendant, and his lawyer asserted there was no evidence to suggest he was intoxicated. The lawyer informed the court that Foster has no previous convictions and his remorse “is clear”.
He revealed that he was detained for eight days straight after the incident, and while mourning his child, he had to phone his daughter from custody to explain the situation.
The court was informed that the window measured 2.85 metres (9.3ft) in width and 1.2 metres (3.9ft) in height.
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