'Dangerous' domestic abuser who went into river to flee police jailed at Portsmouth court
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Karl Foster was found to have committed various crimes including intentional strangulation
A rampant domestic abuser who went into a river to try and flee police has been jailed.
‘Dangerous’ Karl Foster, 48, has been jailed at Portsmouth Crown Court after headbutting and choking a woman while trapping her in a bedroom. Offences he committed include assaults, intentional strangulation, coercive control and stalking.
Foster evaded police after appeals were issued to the public to find him. When officers found him in a pub, Foster tried to escape climbing over a barrier and entering the River Arun at low tide. He was arrested in the mud and charged with the offences.
He initially stood trial in May this year accused of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, coercive control, stalking, intentional strangulation, and intentional suffocation. Foster, of Horsham Road, Littlehampton, changed his plea to guilty on the second day.
Appearing at Portsmouth Crown Court on October 29, he was jailed for six years. The court also imposed a restraining order not to contact the victim which will last until any further order is made.
Detective Constable Oscar Pennels, of Sussex Police, said: “This was a distressing case which continues to have a traumatic impact for the victim. She has shown incredible courage to report incidents to the police.
“Foster went to great lengths to avoid being arrested, despite knowing he was wanted in connection with our investigation. Tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a top priority for Sussex Police.
“We were determined to get justice in this case, and thanks to the victim for reporting her experience, and the strength of evidence against him, Foster had no choice but to plead guilty when presented with the evidence in court.
"He is dangerous offender who is now serving a significant custodial sentence. We continue to urge anyone affected by domestic abuse to report their experience to the police.”
Victims of domestic abuse and violence is available via the police website.