A father from Essex has been fined €3,000 (£2,500) after his two-year-old son died in a fall from a hotel window in Cyprus. Joshua Foster admitted causing death through a reckless, rash or dangerous act.

The incident occurred on July 12, the first day of the family's holiday at the five-star King Evelthon Beach Hotel and Resort in Chlorakas. The toddler fell nearly 40 feet (12.1m) from a fourth-floor window.

According to court proceedings, Foster placed his son on a windowsill to show him the view of a waterpark, believing the window was closed. He lost control of the child before he could react. Foster, an auditor, was with his wife, two children, and in-laws, who had arrived on the island just hours earlier.

Foster, 37, was sentenced on Friday morning at Paphos District Court. He expressed his gratitude for the support received and his eagerness to return home to his wife and daughter. His lawyer, Alexandros Alexandrou, described Foster as an "incredible father" and an "exemplary family man" who is receiving support from his family.

Police were called to the hotel around 18:40 after reports of a child falling. The boy was transported to Paphos General Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. In a voluntary statement to police, Foster stated that the boy fell before he could grab him after being placed on the windowsill.

While the court heard that Foster had alcohol in his system, it was not a significant factor in the case, and his lawyer stated there was no testimony suggesting he was drunk. Foster was held in custody for eight days following the incident.

The court heard that the window in question measured 2.85 meters (9.3ft) wide and 1.2 meters (3.9ft) high. Foster's lawyer emphasized his client's clear remorse and the family's need for time to grieve.

Foster pleaded guilty to causing death by a reckless, rash, or dangerous act. The family has been in a "defence mode" throughout the legal proceedings, according to his lawyer, and are now seeking privacy to process their loss.