The Cyprus hotel fall case heard that a British father believed protective glass was in place before his two-year-old son fell nearly 40ft.
PAPHOS: The Cyprus hotel fall that killed a two-year-old British boy was a “momentary oversight”, a court has heard, after his father placed him on a fourth-floor windowsill to show him a waterpark outside.
Joshua Foster, 37, believed protective glass covered the opening and did not realise the hotel window was open, his lawyer told Paphos District Court on October 6, 2026.
What happened at the Cyprus hotel
The family was staying at the King Evelthon Beach Hotel and Resort in Chlorakas, near Paphos, when the tragedy occurred on July 12.
The court heard that Foster, his son and the child’s grandfather were walking towards a lift before dinner when the toddler noticed the resort’s waterpark through a large window.
According to the defence, Foster placed the child on the windowsill so he could see outside, believing there was glass protecting the opening. The boy then fell from the fourth floor, a distance reported to be nearly 40ft.
Father had no time to react, lawyer says
Foster’s lawyer, Alexandros Alexandrou, told the court that his client had not known the section of the window was open.
The defence described what happened as a brief lapse with devastating consequences and said Foster had been focused on entertaining his child during the family holiday.
Emergency services were called and the toddler was taken to Paphos General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead despite attempts to resuscitate him.
The Cyprus hotel fall happened on the first day of the family’s holiday, according to evidence presented during the hearing.
Father has pleaded guilty
Foster previously pleaded guilty to causing death through a reckless, rash or dangerous act.
The offence can carry a maximum prison sentence of four years. He has remained in Cyprus during the legal proceedings, apart from receiving permission to return to the UK for his son’s funeral.
The court also heard about the impact the child’s death has had on the family, with the defence asking the judge to consider Foster’s remorse and the circumstances surrounding the accident when deciding his sentence.
When will sentencing take place?
Foster is expected to be sentenced on October 16, 2026.
The Cyprus hotel fall proceedings will therefore continue as the court considers the facts presented by prosecutors alongside mitigation submitted by the defence.
Impact to expect
The case may renew attention on child safety around hotel windows and other elevated areas at holiday properties. It could also encourage parents and accommodation operators to check that accessible windows have suitable safety measures in place.
