Stephen James Foster in Coffs court for breaching rules of child sex offender register

A registered child sex offender failed to tell the police about his YouTube and eBay accounts but his lawyer told the court there was nothing ‘sinister’ about it. Here’s the latest.

Coffs Harbour courthouse.

A registered child sex offender failed to tell the police about his YouTube and eBay accounts but his lawyer told Coffs Harbour court there was nothing “sinister” about it.

Stephen James Foster pleaded guilty to two charges of fail to comply with reporting obligations associated with being listed on the NSW Child Protection Register.

It is a record of people who have been sentenced for certain sex offences against a child.

Foster’s lawyer Todd Ritchie told the court there was nothing “untoward or sinister” about his client’s use of YouTube or eBay.

“There was nothing nefarious about it – it was simply an oversight on his behalf,” he said.

Stephen James Foster leaves Coffs Harbour court on December 11. He pleaded guilty to breaching conditions of being on the child protection register.

Mr Ritchie told the court Foster went to the Coffs Harbour police station in October to make sure he was complying fully with the reporting obligations of the register.

He further submitted Foster was paying off a mortgage and suffered a heart attack in 2008 which continues to affect his health.

Magistrate Theresa Hamilton said she recently dealt with a case where eBay was used to “communicate with other users” beyond just the marketplace capability of the platform.

Foster was convicted of the two charges and sentenced to a community correction order for 12 months ending on December 10, 2025.