WEAVERHAM MAN MARK FOSTER ESCAPES JAIL FOR SEX OFFENCES INVOLVING CHILDREN

In August 2022, a man from Weaverham named Mark Foster narrowly avoided immediate imprisonment after being convicted of serious sexual offences committed over three decades ago. The case, which was heard at Chester Crown Court, revealed disturbing details about Foster’s actions involving two young girls, both of whom were just 11 years old at the time of the incidents.

Foster, aged 60 and residing on Forster Avenue in Weaverham, faced a jury that found him guilty of two counts of indecency with a child following a week-long trial in June. The jury’s verdict was unanimous, but Foster maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, claiming that the girls had either lied or misunderstood what had happened. However, after his conviction, he admitted to a probation officer that he might have committed the acts, describing his past behavior as stemming from immaturity and silliness.

During the pre-sentence assessment, Foster also disclosed that he had enjoyed flirting with teenage girls during the 1980s and 1990s, which he said made him feel like a 'stud.' This revelation was part of a broader pattern of behavior that the court considered when determining his sentence. The prosecution, led by barrister Gareth Roberts, detailed how the offences occurred while the victims were babysitting Foster’s children. The victims, both in primary school at the time, recounted how Foster returned home early from an outing with his wife and joined them in the lounge where they were watching television.

According to their testimonies, Foster sat in a chair next to the girls and placed a cushion on his lap. When he removed the cushion, the girls saw that he was engaging in inappropriate behavior, specifically stroking his erect penis. Both victims described how they felt frightened and confused, with one admitting she kept quiet at the time because she feared she wouldn’t be believed. It was only in 2018, when police approached her, that she felt able to speak out and promised herself to tell the truth.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Michael Leeming expressed his disapproval of Foster’s actions, emphasizing that he should be ashamed of himself. He pointed out that the maximum sentence for the offence of indecency with a child, which was then two years, has since been increased to a potential ten-year term. The judge acknowledged that Foster had managed to continue with his life for over 30 years without facing justice, but noted that the victims could now begin to move on.

Judge Leeming highlighted Foster’s admission that he may have acted inappropriately, describing his behavior as a stupid mistake rooted in immaturity. He also criticized Foster’s enjoyment of flirting with teenage girls in the past, reinforcing the gravity of his misconduct. Despite this, the judge accepted the recommendation from the probation service that Foster was someone who could be rehabilitated. Consequently, he sentenced Foster to 21 months in prison, but this sentence was suspended for two years. As part of his sentence, Foster is required to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, attend 35 days of rehabilitation sessions with the probation service, and register as a sex offender for the next decade.

Following the court proceedings, a disturbing incident occurred outside the courtroom when a family member of Foster was heard shouting abuse at one of the victims, calling her “a lying b***h.” This outburst underscored the ongoing tensions and emotional toll surrounding the case. The case also involved a previous trial in July 2021, which ended with a jury unable to reach a verdict on some charges, leading to a re-trial. Foster faced a total of seven historic sex offence counts, with four women, now in their 40s, accusing him of abuse that dated back to the 1990s. The jury ultimately convicted him of two counts of indecency but acquitted him of three other charges and two counts of indecent assault.

Judge Leeming clarified that, because the offences occurred before the Indecency with Children Act 1960 was abolished, he was limited in the sentencing options available. Foster’s bail was extended until his next court appearance, scheduled for August 4, when he will be formally sentenced. As part of the legal process, Foster was instructed to notify the police of his current address as required by the sex offender register. The case remains a stark reminder of the long-lasting impact of such offences and the importance of justice for victims who come forward after many years.