IPSWICH MAN BRIAN CALLAGHAN AND WOMAN DIANE FOSTER SENTENCED FOR HISTORIC CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN IPSWICH AND PRESTON

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Ipswich, a couple has been convicted and sentenced for a series of heinous child sex offences spanning over a decade. The court heard that the crimes committed by Brian Callaghan, aged 79, and Diane Foster, aged 56, took place across different locations, including Ipswich and Preston, Lancashire, with the offences dating back to the 1970s through the early 1990s.

Brian Callaghan, a resident of Waterford Road in Ipswich, was sentenced to a lengthy term of 24 years in prison after pleading guilty to a total of 19 separate offences. These crimes included multiple counts of rape, sexual assault, and other forms of abuse against children, some of whom were of primary school age. The court was informed that Callaghan's criminal activities began in Preston, Lancashire, before continuing in Ipswich, where he met Foster while working as a door-to-door salesman. His offences spanned over 17 years, revealing a pattern of predatory behavior that the judge described as taking “cruelty to a level of unimaginable, terrifying horror.”

During the proceedings, the court heard that Callaghan's crimes were particularly depraved, involving a variety of sexual abuses that left lasting scars on his victims. His guilty plea covered a broad spectrum of offences, including rape, gross indecency, and other sexual misconduct. The judge, Rupert Overbury, condemned Callaghan as a “perverted sexual predator,” emphasizing that his actions appeared driven by “degenerate sexual fantasies.” The judge also highlighted the profound psychological trauma inflicted on the victims, who continue to suffer from the memories of their abuse and have sought professional help to cope with their ongoing trauma.

Foster, who was found guilty of three offences committed alongside Callaghan during a single night in the 1980s, was sentenced to 11 years in prison. She was described by the court as a “willing participant” in the abuse, with the judge condemning her as a “cold-hearted woman,” lacking any moral fiber and showing no remorse for the children she cruelly exploited. Foster’s involvement in the crimes was characterized as a betrayal of trust, and her actions were seen as a significant part of the overall criminal enterprise.

Detective Chief Inspector Tonya Antonis of Suffolk Police expressed her outrage at the crimes, stating, “The crimes committed by both Callaghan and Foster were abhorrent. We wonder if they have ever stopped to think about the damage they have done to the children while they sought sexual gratification or how their lives will probably be scarred forever.” She emphasized the police’s ongoing commitment to tackling child abuse and sexual offences, noting that dedicated officers work tirelessly to investigate such difficult and emotive cases, often collaborating with child protection professionals to ensure justice and safeguard future victims.

Earlier in July 2014, Brian Callaghan had pleaded guilty to 19 child sex offences in Suffolk and the north-west of England. His arrest in September 2012 followed multiple allegations of historical sexual assaults dating back to the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. The charges included counts of administering drugs with intent to have sex, inciting indecency with children, sexual assault, child rape, gross indecency, and cruelty to a child. The case underscored the police’s determination to pursue justice regardless of the time elapsed since the offences occurred.

Callaghan was remanded on bail pending sentencing, which was scheduled to take place after the trial of his co-defendant, Diane Foster. Foster, a 54-year-old unemployed woman from Downside Close in Ipswich, faced multiple charges, including four counts of gross indecency with children, aiding and abetting rape, and cruelty to a child. Her trial was set to commence at Ipswich Crown Court on Monday, October 6, with the court expected to deliver justice for her victims and hold her accountable for her role in these disturbing crimes.