Paedophile Mark Foster jailed for 28 years for historic sexual abuses

Mark Anthony Foster, of Forster Avenue in Weaverham, will spend nearly three decades behind bars.

It comes after he was convicted of 20 charges relating to the historic sexual abuse of a young girl in Northwich.

Speaking after Foster was sentenced to 28 years, Detective Constable Paul Beesley said: “I am grateful for the sentence handed down to Foster, and I hope this can finally bring some sense of closure to the victim, who has had to carry this on her shoulders for more than 20 years.

“The offences which Foster cruelly subjected her to were incredibly violent and persistent, and even after this sustained grooming and abuse, he put her through the stressful process of a trial.

"The offences were some of the most horrific and violent I have seen, and the victim must be credited for her bravery on reporting this abuse to the police and I am pleased she now has the justice she deserves.

“Thankfully, this was the last time she will have to face him, as the jury saw through his lies and he is now serving a lengthy sentence where he can’t do this to anyone else."

Mark Anthony Foster (Image: Cheshire Police)

Between 1995 and 2001, Foster groomed, abused and raped a girl in Northwich who was aged between nine and 16.

The offences became more violent as time progressed, including at least one instance where the 62-year-old dosed the victim with medication before raping her.

Foster’s actions came to the attention of Cheshire Police in August 2020 when the victim bravely came forward to disclose what had happened to her.

In interviews following his arrest, Foster continued to deny the allegations but was subsequently charged in January 2023.

A 13-day trial took place earlier this year at Chester Crown Court, with Foster eventually convicted of 20 charges on April 12.

These include 11 counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14, four of raping a girl under 16, four of gross indecency with a girl under 14, and one charge of raping a girl over the age of 16.

Foster returned to court today (June 13) where he was sentenced to 28 years in prison.

He will also be subject to an indefinite restraining order, an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, and will be subject to the sex offender register for life.

DC Foster added: “As this case shows, we treat all reports of non-recent sexual offences seriously, with the wishes and needs of the victim as our main priority, and any allegations will be thoroughly investigated.

“Anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse – no matter how long ago the incident took place – is urged to come forward and report it to Cheshire Police on 101 or through our website.”