Alex John Foster formerly of Tilbury Road, East Haddon, appeared at Lincoln Crown Court on November 17 to be sentenced after pleading guilty at the same court on September 8 this year to three charges relating to sexual contact with a child, including arranging or facilitating and intentionally encouraging or assisting. The now 43-year-old, who was a special constable with the Northamptonshire force for more than 20 years, started talking to a ’15-year-old girl’ – who was actually an undercover police officer – on social media in July. Alex Foster. Photo: Northamptonshire Police. When they started talking, the “girl” told Foster she was turning 16 next month. Gurdial Singh, prosecuting, told the court Foster had “no illusions about her age”. Foster, who was a police trainer until 2021 when he resigned, went on to ask the “girl” what she was comfortable with and what experience she had “with lads”. He told the “girl” he was 42 and “looking for someone to have sex with”. The court heard Foster also said he “had to trust her” as she “could be an undercover cop”. Two days after starting the conversation, Foster blocked the “girl” before contacting another social media platform and the conversation continued. Over the course of two weeks, sexual content was exchanged between the two parties. Foster also shared sexual images, the court heard. Mr Singh told the court a meeting had been arranged but Foster “wanted to cancel and then changed his mind”. On August 10, Foster made the journey to the meeting and was arrested in a KFC car park in Newark, Lincolnshire where the meeting was arranged. Condoms and lubricant were seized from his vehicle. When later questioned about the items, Foster told police they were items he “normally carried”, the court heard. Foster had also previously been the subject of a police misconduct hearing in 2019, the court heard. This resulted in a final written warning. Defending, barrister Siward James-Moore said: “The facts of this case are clear and do not allow for a pleasant hearing. “He has a previous record of good character given his long service and is a low to medium risk of reoffending. “He was a hard working man who fell off the rails. It was of character and deviant behavior and not of the make of the man.” read more Northamptonshire police officer nominated for bravery award faces sacking over… Mr James-Moore also said he had the support of his father, who was in court. In sentencing comments, Recorder House said: “You believed you were meeting a 15-year-old girl. Your intention was to have sex. The activities you intended are why this offense is so serious. “You were in a position of trust because you worked for Northamptonshire Police. This affects public perception.” Foster was sentenced to two years in prison. He will also be subject to a 10-year Sexual Harassment Prevention Order (SHPO). Northamptonshire Police will hold a serious misconduct hearing now that the sentence has been completed.
