A British father has pleaded guilty to causing the death of his two-year-old son after the toddler fell from a fourth-floor window at a hotel in Cyprus.
Joshua Foster, 37, from Essex, appeared at Paphos District Court on Tuesday and admitted causing death by a rash, reckless or dangerous act.
The case relates to the death of his young son, who fell from a window at the King Evelthon Beach Hotel and Resort in Paphos on July 12.
Foster was arrested just hours after the tragedy. He had been staying at the hotel when the child fell from the fourth floor.
The KPMG “AI transformation leader” will return to Paphos court on October 5.
Father Says He Put Son on Window Ledge
The circumstances surrounding the fall remain disputed.
Foster has told the court that he placed his son on a window ledge beside an elevator while they were waiting to go to dinner at the hotel restaurant.
A previous court hearing heard an allegation that Foster had been swinging his son from side to side shortly before the fall. Foster is understood to deny that allegation.
Investigators have also considered whether Foster may not have realised the window was open.
The large sliding window, which is around 1.2 metres high, can still be opened, according to an examination reported by The Sun.
Foster was detained for eight days following his arrest in July. During that period, he was forced to tell his young daughter about her brother’s death over FaceTime.
His lawyer, Alexandros Alexandrou, had appealed to the Cypriot Attorney General for the case to be discontinued on humanitarian grounds. The request was rejected, allowing the prosecution to proceed.
Foster was later granted permission to return to Britain to mourn his son and attend the funeral after paying £25,750 in bail.
He now faces the possibility of up to four years in prison.
Family Pays Tribute to ‘Truly Special’ Boy
A friend of the family remembered the toddler as a much-loved child who brought happiness to those around him.
“He was deeply adored and his infectious smile, warm cuddles and kind heart are already so deeply missed and always will be,” they said.
The tragedy has also brought renewed scrutiny to the safety record of the King Evelthon hotel.
The toddler was reportedly the third British tourist to die at the resort since 2022.
In July 2022, 21-year-old Ben Woods, from Leigh in Greater Manchester, drowned while playing in the hotel swimming pool.
Two years later, six-year-old Ruaridh Nairne, from Inverness, also drowned at the resort.
Hotel Responds to Safety Concerns
Antonis Sivitanidis, general manager of the King Evelthon, declined to comment on individual allegations concerning health and safety raised by guests.
He said the hotel was fully licensed and complied with all relevant regulations.
“Our hotel is fully licensed and complies with all regulations. It is safe for visitors to come and stay,” Sivitanidis said.
He also expressed sympathy to the families affected by the deaths.
The latest case will return to court in Paphos on October 5, when proceedings against Foster are expected to continue.