The key facts

  • Joshua Foster, 37, from Essex, was found guilty of causing death through reckless, rash or dangerous action and fined €3,000 (£2,500).
  • The boy fell from a height of almost 12 metres from a fourth-floor window of the King Evelthon Beach Hotel and Resort in Chlorakas on 12 July.
  • According to the lawyer, Foster believed the window was closed when he placed his son on the windowsill to show him the water park.

Sentencing in Paphos

The Paphos District Court on Friday morning sentenced 37-year-old Joshua Foster from Essex to a fine of €3,000 (£2,500) for causing the death of his two-year-old son. Foster, who works as an auditor, pleaded guilty to causing death through reckless, rash or dangerous action. After the sentence was handed down, he told reporters: 'Thank you for your support. I look forward to returning home, to my wife and daughter.'

Circumstances of the incident

The tragedy occurred on 12 July, on the first day of the family's holiday in Chlorakas — the family, including Foster, his wife, two children and his wife's parents, had arrived in Cyprus just hours before the incident. According to his lawyer Alexandros Alexandrou, at around 18:00 Foster was heading to the lift with his father-in-law and son and was playing with the child. The boy noticed the water park outside the window; Foster pressed the lift button and placed his son on the windowsill, after which, according to the court's description, the 'unthinkable' happened before he could react. Police were called at around 18:40 with a report of a child falling 'in unknown circumstances'. The boy was taken to Paphos hospital, where death was later pronounced. According to the court, the window was 2.85 m wide and 1.2 m high, and the fall occurred from a height of almost 40 feet (12.1 m).

Defence position and case details

In his voluntary police statement, Foster said the boy fell before he could grab him. Alcohol was detected in Foster's blood, however, according to reports, it did not become a significant part of the prosecution's case, and the lawyer stated there was no evidence that he was drunk. Alexandrou said Foster spent eight days in custody immediately after the incident and had to call his daughter from custody to explain what had happened. At an earlier hearing on 6 October, the lawyer said Foster's life had 'changed forever' from that moment.

Statement after the verdict

In a statement outside the courthouse, Alexandrou described his client as a 'generous father' and a 'model family man' with a loving family that supports him. According to him, after the verdict was read out Foster was 'very emotional', and the family needs time to properly grieve: 'All this time they have been in a defensive position.' Earlier, on 22 September, the guilty plea was reported, and on 6 October it was reported that the father had witnessed his son's fall.

Joshua Foster wearing a white shirt as he arrives at court in Cyprus. He has short dark hair.Image source, Press Association
People lounging by a swimming pool at the hotel, which is a large white building with various balconies on its front.Image source, Press Association
Image caption,

The incident happened on the first day of the family's holiday at the five-star King Evelthon Beach Hotel and Resort

Alexandros Alexandrou, who is wearing a suit and black sunglasses, speaking to a crowd of reporters outside court.Image source, Press Association
Image caption,

Alexandros Alexandrou said his client's remorse was "clear"

Joshua Foster is wearing a navy shirt outside court. He has short dark hair and stubble.Aerial panoramic view of Coral bay beach, Cyprus. Overhead view of Coral Bay beach, Peyia village, Paphos district, Cyprus. Aerial view of Coral Bay beach in Peyia village, Cyprus.