ANTHONY FOSTER FROM DESBOROUGH SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL OFFENCES IN NORTHAMPTON

In June 2022, a man from Desborough was sentenced to prison after being convicted of multiple child sexual offences. Anthony Gerald Foster, who resides in Foxlands, was found guilty of four counts related to the abuse of a young girl, with the court sentencing him to four and a half years behind bars at Northampton Crown Court. The sentencing was presided over by Her Honour Judge Rebecca Crane.

During the court proceedings, Foster, a 74-year-old man, sat in the dock dressed in a grey short-sleeved button-up shirt and dark trousers. He listened intently through headphones as the victim’s impact statement was read aloud by prosecution barrister John Farmer QC. The victim, who was a child at the time of the offences over three decades ago, expressed her feelings of betrayal and the lasting trauma inflicted upon her.

She recounted her initial fears and doubts, stating that she believed no one would believe her and that she struggled mentally, mistaking her feelings of sadness for normalcy. It was only after she met her partner that she felt safe enough to disclose what had happened. The victim described her pain, saying, “He took my innocence. This man has ruined me. He prevented me from reaching my full potential.” She emphasized her desire to confront Foster and to make him understand the gravity of his actions, asserting, “All I want to do is to tell him that what he did was outrageously wrong.”

The victim also shared that the trauma led her to be prescribed medication such as diazepam and sleeping tablets to manage her mental health. She described the trial process as extremely stressful and expressed relief upon Foster’s conviction, stating, “I felt enormous relief when he was found guilty. I’m glad that he can’t do what he did to anyone else.”

Judge Rebecca Crane addressed Foster during sentencing, highlighting the seriousness of the case. She noted, “This is a serious case… I find you are not dangerous and any risk you pose is not imminent.” Foster was ordered to serve half of his prison term in custody before being released on licence. Additionally, he will remain on the sex offender register and be subject to a sexual harm prevention order until further notice. Foster is also prohibited from working with children and vulnerable adults, reflecting the court’s concern for public safety and the protection of potential future victims.