BRANDON FOSKETT—DANGEROUS SEX OFFENDER CAUGHT WORKING IN NEWCASTLE HOTEL
In a concerning case that has raised alarms within the local community, Brandon Foskett, a 24-year-old man with a troubling criminal history, was found to have been secretly employed as a night porter at a well-known hotel in Newcastle.The situation became more alarming given Foskett's background and the context in which he obtained employment, raising questions about the effectiveness of community monitoring and hotel vetting procedures.
Foskett, who was subject to a Risk of Sexual Harm Order (ROSHO), was under close police supervision due to his status as a potentially dangerous individual.
Despite these restrictions, he managed to disappear from his monitored location and take up work at the Dunkeld House Hotel, a popular tourist destination and wedding venue.
This employment began without the hotel management being fully aware of his legal restrictions, which was revealed during the subsequent investigation.
According to details provided in Perth Sheriff Court, Foskett had been residing in Newcastle and was being managed by Northumbria Police as a potentially dangerous sex offender.
His last official police notification regarding his address was submitted on August 9.
However, he failed to comply with his obligation to update police about his whereabouts for a period of three months.
The breach was only uncovered when Foskett voluntarily approached Perth police station on November 24 and disclosed his move to Scotland.
During questioning, Foskett admitted to police that he had been staying at the hotel for approximately a month and explained that he was unsure of whom to contact regarding his change of address.
He confirmed his employment as a night porter commenced on October 26 and that he was living in the hotel’s staff accommodation.
This employment was carried out while he was still under the restrictions of the Risk of Sexual Harm Order.
Foskett’s criminal record includes offenses related to dishonesty, violence, and sexual offending, which contributed to the gravity of his situation.
His lawyer, solicitor John McLaughlin, explained to the court that Foskett had been held in custody since his arrest, effectively serving roughly eleven months on remand.
The defense also highlighted that Foskett had been unemployed for three years until a friend of his found him work at the hotel, calling him to inform him about the vacancy.
The arrangement for him to work the night shift meant he was not in direct contact with hotel guests.
Despite these circumstances, the court, presided over by Sheriff William Wood, expressed concern about the pattern of Foskett’s behavior.
The sheriff noted that Foskett’s criminal record was extensive for someone of his age, and he had already breached the terms of his registration and restraining order twice.
The fact that Foskett was able to secure employment in a role that granted access to multiple areas of the hotel, without adequate oversight, was troubling.
In response to his breaches, Sheriff Wood sentenced Foskett to ten months in prison.
The sentence was backdated to cover the period he had already spent in custody, meaning he would be released immediately after the ruling.
The judge underscored the seriousness of his violations and the potential risk he posed, stressing the importance of strict monitoring for individuals with Foskett’s history.
This case underscores the ongoing challenges authorities face in managing individuals on community safety orders and highlights the need for rigorous checks, especially in industries where staff access sensitive or restricted areas.
It also raises questions about how hotels and employers verify the backgrounds of employees with known risk factors, and whether additional measures are necessary to prevent such situations from recurring in the future.
