September 2014

Rochdale paedophile bus driver’s jail sentence increased for grooming autistic boy

A paedophile bus driver who groomed an autistic schoolboy before swapping explicit pictures with him over Facebook has had his ‘too soft’ jail term doubled by top judges.

Jason Foster was locked up for two years at Manchester Crown Court in June, afteradmitting six counts of sexual activity with a child and three of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

But the 46-year-old, of Ivor Street, Rochdale, has had his sentence increased to four years by judges sitting at London’s Criminal Appeal Court, who said the original term was ‘unduly lenient’ for his serious crimes.

Foster groomed the boy by giving him sweets and showering him with gifts before engaging in a series of seedy Facebook chats over a 12-month period, the court heard.

He eventually managed to persuade the vulnerable youngster to send an intimate picture of himself.

His sickening abuse of the teenager came to light when the boy confided in his mother and another adult about the online messages.

The court heard he had targeted the boy because he was vulnerable and Foster believed he was more likely to agree to his perverted demands.

A probation report revealed he showed no remorse for his actions, posed a high risk to children, and was likely to have carried on targeting the boy if he hadn’t been reported.

Lord Justice Fulford told the court: “This, in our judgment, was extremely serious offending, most particularly because the victim was deliberately targeted on account of his vulnerability, which made him more likely to be compliant.

“This case bears all the hallmarks of deliberate grooming, beginning with flattery, gifts and attention, and thereafter developing over time into serious sexual abuse.

“If the victim hadn’t reported the matter when he did, it is inevitable this abuse would have developed in seriousness.

“Selecting a victim of such vulnerability is a particular aggravating feature in this case.”

Lawyers acting on behalf of the Attorney General, Jeremy Wright QC, argued the term handed to Foster was far too short.

Increasing the sentence, Lord Justice Fulford said that two years may have been an appropriate sentence for a single incident.

But it was ‘unduly lenient’ in light of the repeated offending against the teenager.

June 2014

Paedophile bus driver jailed for exchanging explicit pictures with autistic pupil after grooming him with sweets

A pervert school bus driver exchanged explicit pictures with an autistic pupil over Facebook after grooming him with sweets.

Jason Foster, 45, of Ivor Street, Rochdale, was jailed for two years after admitting nine child sex charges during a 12-month period.

Minshull Street Crown Court heard how he befriended the teenage boy by leaving presents such as Freddo chocolate bars underneath a straw hat on the youngster’s seat on the bus.

Foster, who traded as Rochdale-based Almin Travel, went on to buy more expensive gifts such as vodka and T-shirts and would stroke the boy’s genitals over his clothing as he helped fasten his seatbelt.

As their relationship escalated Foster began a series of seedy Facebook chats – in which he asked the boy to be his ‘bf’ (boyfriend) – and eventually persuaded him to send an intimate picture of himself.

Foster later sent an explicit picture of himself and began talking about having sex with the child.

The grooming was uncovered when the worried boy told his mum and another adult about the messages.

When police went to speak to Foster they found a straw hat containing sweets on his bus and he was arrested.

A victim impact statement from the victim’s mother which was read to the court detailed how the grooming had a ‘catastrophic’ impact on his life – including self-harming incidents in which he’s injected syringes into his eyeballs.

She said: “Since these events he’s experienced nightmares, in particular about Jason Foster.

“He sleeps with the metal extension of the hoover in case Jason gets into our house.”

Defending, Guy Mathieson said Foster had struggled to comprehend the severity of his crimes.

He said: “Mr Foster became besotted with him. He felt it was a caring relationship and when the view is suggested that the relationship was something more sinister, it’s something he still struggles with.”

Foster admitted six counts of sexual activity with a child and three of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Sentencing, Judge Leslie Hull said: “There are features which make this case a classic case of sexual grooming.

“You knew your victim was vulnerable and the impact this has had has been catastrophic.”