An Essex father has now pleaded guilty to causing his two-year-old son’s Cyprus hotel death. Joshua Foster, from the UK, admitted a charge of causing death through a reckless, rash, or dangerous act. He appeared at a Paphos court on Tuesday to enter his plea.
The tragic incident occurred on July 12, when the boy fell from the fourth floor. He was staying at the King Evelthon Beach Hotel and Resort in Chlorakas, Cyprus. The circumstances surrounding the fall have been detailed in court previously.
During a July hearing at Paphos District Court, officials heard the boy fell through an open window. His father had been holding him around his waist and swinging him from side to side at the time. This detail formed part of the prosecution’s case.
Foster’s lawyer, Alexandros Alexandrou, confirmed the decision to plead guilty. His lawyer explained the plea, stating it aimed to prevent a lengthy trial and spare the family from reliving the child’s tragic Cyprus hotel death in court. This decision helps avoid making Foster “again a victim of this tragedy”, Alexandrou added.
A further hearing is scheduled for October 5. During this session, the prosecutor will outline the full facts of the case. Meanwhile, the defence will present its mitigation arguments to the court. A court official confirmed these upcoming proceedings.
Authorities previously allowed Foster to return to the UK for his child’s funeral. However, a condition required him to fly back to Cyprus last week for the plea hearing. His lawyer now intends to ask the court to lift these travel restrictions, enabling his client to rejoin his wife and daughter in the UK before the next hearing.
Joshua Foster now faces a possible four-year prison sentence following his guilty plea in connection with his son’s Cyprus hotel death. Nevertheless, Mr Alexandrou suggested the court should consider past cases. These precedents have seen defendants receive fines or suspended sentences for similar charges.
