ROBERT FOSTER FROM CLEVELAND AND SALTBURN SENTENCED FOR DECADES OF CHILD ABUSE IN NORTH EAST

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Cleveland and Saltburn, Robert Foster, a man with a disturbing history of child abuse spanning over two decades, was sentenced to 12 years in prison on Tuesday. The court heard that Foster, aged 57, had committed a series of heinous acts involving both boys and girls, some of whom were as young as five years old.

The offences, which began around 1980, involved multiple instances of rape and indecent assault. Durham Crown Court was informed that Foster’s crimes were characterized by a pattern of grooming vulnerable children, making the abuse even more sinister. Neil Davey QC, representing the prosecution, detailed that Foster had admitted to two counts of rape involving girls aged 14 and 15. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to eight counts of indecent assault, which affected all five victims, including a young girl aged five and a boy aged seven.

The court was told that the abuse only came to light after one of the victims, now 17, confided in his brother about the incidents in January. Their father subsequently reported the matter to the police, leading to Foster’s arrest and subsequent prosecution. Foster’s address was listed as Ruskin Avenue, Saltburn, and he was described as a former worker at ICI, a major industrial company.

During the hearing, Chris Knox, representing Foster, emphasized that his client had no previous criminal record and that there was no evidence of violence in any of the offences. Despite this, the judge, David Bryant, emphasized the severity and ongoing danger posed by Foster. In his sentencing remarks, Judge Bryant stated, “I regard you as a continuing danger to children and I regard this as the shortest sentence to protect children.”

Furthermore, the court ordered that Foster be placed permanently on the sex offenders’ register. The judge also left ten additional counts on file, indicating the full extent of the allegations and the seriousness with which the court viewed Foster’s actions. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the devastating impact of child abuse within communities across the North East.