A British father has been fined €3,000 (approximately £2,500) after his two-year-old son fell to his death from a fourth-floor window at a hotel in Cyprus.
Joshua Foster, 37, from Essex, was sentenced on Friday after admitting to causing death through a reckless, rash or dangerous act.
The incident occurred on 12 July, on the first day of the family’s holiday at the five-star King Evelthon Beach Hotel and Resort in Chlorakas.
Paphos District Court previously heard that Foster believed the window was closed when he placed his son on the windowsill to show him the view of a nearby waterpark.
The toddler fell approximately 12 metres before being taken to Paphos General Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
According to Foster’s lawyer, Alexandros Alexandrou, the family had arrived in Cyprus just hours before the incident and spent the day enjoying activities and swimming before preparing for dinner.
At around 18:00, Foster was walking towards an elevator with his son and father-in-law when the toddler noticed the waterpark outside.
The court heard that Foster pressed the elevator button before placing the child on the windowsill. The boy then fell before his father could grab him.
Police were alerted at approximately 18:40 following reports of a child falling under unknown circumstances.
In a statement to police, Foster said his son fell before he had an opportunity to catch him.
Although Foster had alcohol in his system, his lawyer said there was no testimony that he was drunk, and alcohol did not form a significant part of the case against him.
Alexandrou told the court that the incident had changed his client’s life forever. Foster was held in custody for eight days immediately after the tragedy and had to explain what had happened to his daughter during a phone call from detention.
Speaking to reporters after sentencing, Foster thanked those who had supported him and said he wanted to return home to his family.
“Thank you for the support. I'm looking forward to going home and being with my wife and daughter,” he said.
Outside court, Alexandrou described Foster as an “incredible father” and an exemplary family man who had the support of his wife and family.
He added that Foster was deeply emotional following the sentencing and that the family needed time to grieve.
“They have been in a defence mode during this procedure,” Alexandrou said.