SIMON FOSTER FROM DARTMOUTH CAUGHT ONLINE AFTER SEX OFFENSES AND BANNED CHATROOM ACCESS

In a case that highlights ongoing concerns about online safety and the behavior of convicted sex offenders, Simon Foster, a resident of Britannia Avenue in Dartmouth, found himself back in trouble after breaching court-imposed restrictions. Foster, who had previously been convicted of serious sexual offences involving a young girl, was prohibited from accessing internet chatrooms and certain social networking sites. Despite these restrictions, he was found to have returned to Facebook and other social platforms, citing loneliness as his motivation.

According to court records, Foster, aged 29 at the time, pleaded guilty to using social media platforms such as Facebook and Flirtomatic to contact women. The magistrates in Torquay heard that Foster had been using his mobile phone to access Facebook between October of the previous year and January of the current year. His actions came to light when a woman, who was contacted by someone using the alias Alex Best, realized that the profile was linked to Foster and subsequently reported her suspicions to the police.

Foster’s history with the law is extensive. In June 2007, he was convicted at Exeter Crown Court of a serious sexual offence against a girl under the age of 13. As a result, he was ordered to serve a 12-month community rehabilitation program under supervision and was fined £85. The court had also issued a sexual offence prevention order against him, which explicitly banned him from accessing online chatrooms and social networking sites to prevent further contact with minors.

When questioned by police following his arrest, Foster admitted that his motivation for using Facebook was driven by feelings of loneliness. He explained that after splitting from his girlfriend in October 2009, he used Flirtomatic to make contact with adult women. Foster stated, “He told the police that he had split up with his girlfriend in October 2009 and used Flirtomatic to make contact with women who were all adults.”

Legal representatives for Foster argued that the breach of the sexual offence prevention order was his first violation of its kind. William Parkhill, representing Foster, emphasized that there was no evidence to suggest that Foster had contacted children during his online activities. He added that Foster had been attempting to reintegrate into the community, living at his parents’ address and making efforts to rebuild his social circle after his breakup. Parkhill also highlighted that Foster was aware of the consequences of further breaches, which could result in imprisonment.

Foster’s criminal history is notably severe. In October 2007, he was convicted of raping a 12-year-old girl he had met over the internet. His initial sentence of two years was later doubled to four years after the Court of Appeal, presided over by Judge Rucker, deemed the original sentence too lenient. Foster, a chef from South Devon, had admitted to multiple sexual offences against the young girl, including two counts of rape. His case drew significant attention to the dangers posed by online predators and the importance of strict enforcement of court orders designed to protect minors.