Joshua Foster, a 37-year-old auditor from Essex, was fined €3,000 (£2,500) by Paphos District Court after pleading guilty to causing his two-year-old son’s death in a 40ft hotel fall on July 12, during the family’s first day of holiday in Chlorakas, Cyprus.
Tragic Fall at the King Evelthon Beach Hotel and Resort
The incident took place at the five-star King Evelthon Beach Hotel and Resort in Chlorakas on July 12. The family had arrived in Cyprus in the early hours of the morning on the day of the tragedy.
Joshua Foster, his wife, two children, and in-laws spent their first day carrying out various activities, including a visit to the hotel pool, before returning to prepare for evening dinner. At approximately 18:00, Foster, his father-in-law, and his two-year-old son walked toward an elevator. Alexandros Alexandrou, Foster’s lawyer, told the court his client was in a good mood
and was playing with the boy as they approached the lift.
As they neared the elevator, the toddler noticed a waterpark outside. Foster pressed the lift button and placed his son on the windowsill to show him the view. Foster believed the window was closed and that protective glass was in place, but he was unaware that a section of the window was open. The window measured 2.85 meters wide and 1.2 meters high. Foster lost control of the boy, who fell nearly 40 feet (12.1 meters) from the fourth floor before Foster had a chance to grab him.
Hospitalization and Paphos District Court Proceedings
Police received reports at approximately 18:40 that a child had fallen from the beachfront hotel under unknown circumstances. The toddler was rushed to Paphos General Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead despite attempts to resuscitate him.
In the aftermath, Foster was taken to Paphos General Hospital where a blood sample was drawn. Prosecutor Chryso Pergandi stated that an estimated blood alcohol concentration of 124mg was recorded approximately six hours after the incident. However, the alcohol consumption did not form a significant part of the case, and Alexandrou noted there was no evidence to suggest his client was drunk. Foster was held in custody for eight days immediately following the tragedy, during which time he had to telephone his daughter from custody to explain what had happened.
Guilty Plea and €3,000 Fine Sentence
Appearing before District Judge Froso Christodoulidou at Paphos District Court on Friday, Foster admitted to causing death through a reckless, rash, or dangerous act. The 37-year-old auditor, wearing a light blue shirt, fought back tears during the 25-minute hearing.
The court handed down a €3,000 (£2,500) fine. Following the sentencing, Foster embraced his lawyer and hugged his parents.
Thank you for the support. I’m looking forward to going home and being with my wife and daughter.
Joshua Foster
Alexandrou told the court that his client’s life changed forever
from the moment of the fall and that his remorse was clear, noting that Foster had no prior convictions and was an exemplary family man.