STEVE FOSTER FROM LOUGHBOROUGH SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE AFTER DECADES OF SILENCE

In a significant development for justice and victim support, Steven Jeremy Foster, a resident of Ratcliffe Road in Loughborough, was sentenced to three years and four months in prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing a young boy over 25 years ago. The victim, who has chosen to remain anonymous, attended Leicester Crown Court on August 8 to witness the culmination of a lengthy legal process that finally brought his abuser to justice.

Foster, aged 53 at the time of sentencing, pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault committed when the victim was just 15 and 16 years old. Additionally, he admitted to indecently assaulting another individual on a separate occasion. The court proceedings revealed that Foster had established a relationship of trust with the boys, which he exploited by befriending them separately, offering alcohol, and then committing sexual acts upon them. These actions, spanning over a decade, had long-lasting effects on the victims involved.

The victim expressed a mixture of relief and emotional turmoil following the sentencing. He stated, “The sentence is great, I am very happy with the result because we were worried he was going to get a suspended sentence.” He described the day as emotionally charged, noting, “The day was full of mixed emotions. I was very nervous and anxious but I had all my family there supporting me.” The victim also shared the significance of the guilty plea, saying, “When he pleaded guilty that was a massive relief and when we were told the sentencing date we all wanted to be there to get some closure.”

Historical context was provided during the court hearing, revealing that Foster had become familiar with the victim’s family in the 1980s after they moved into the area. Foster’s relationship with the family grew, and he became a regular visitor. The victim recounted that he finally found the courage to disclose the abuse to his family in 2004, and subsequently reported it to the police in 2006. Unfortunately, at that time, authorities declined to take further action, citing that he was the only complainant. The victim described this experience as his “worst fear,” explaining how he carried the burden of guilt and shame for many years.

He further revealed that his mental health deteriorated to the point where he required psychiatric care. The situation changed last year when police contacted him again, informing him that another victim had come forward. Although initially horrified, he felt a sense of relief knowing that others had also suffered at Foster’s hands. The police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) indicated that if he was willing to pursue the case, they would likely proceed with prosecution. Despite concerns about re-experiencing past trauma, he decided to move forward with the legal process.

During the sentencing, Judge Robert Brown addressed the court and the victim directly, emphasizing the seriousness with which such cases are now treated. He stated, “I know there has been a tendency over the years to feel courts don’t take this sort of abuse seriously. They do. Cases happen which can stay for life, I can’t take that away but what I can say is that you were a victim. Never anything other than a victim. You did nothing to deserve or encourage this abuse.” The judge expressed hope that the proceedings would bring some measure of closure for the victim, acknowledging the long-lasting impact of such trauma and reaffirming the court’s commitment to justice in cases of sexual abuse.