THE former head of a county youth offending team has been jailed for eight months after pleading guilty to indecently assaulting a teenage girl.

Peter Foulsham, 48, assaulted the teenager, who was fostered with him, in Edinburgh.

Foulsham, formerly of Manor Park Drive, Acomb, was the most senior member of the North Yorkshire Youth Offending Team.

He was suspended by his employer, North Yorkshire County Council, following the initial allegations, which were the result of an investigation by North Yorkshire Police and City of York Council's Social Services department.

He will now face further disciplinary action, after pleading guilty to the charge at Edinburgh Sheriff's Court.

A Scottish Executive spokeswoman confirmed Foulsham had been imprisoned and would be on licence for a further three years on release. He was also placed on the Sex Offenders' Register.

A City of York Council spokeswoman said: "Peter Foulsham underwent all of the required police and reference checks before being accepted as a foster carer and his suitability was reviewed annually.

"The most recent checks took place in August, 2002, just three months before the allegations against him came to light. As soon as these allegations were made, Peter and his wife were suspended as a foster carers and the children in their care were placed with another foster family.

"Until the criminal investigation had concluded, the council was unable to review the couple's status as approved foster carers. In light of the decision reached by the court, the fostering panel can now address this issue."

A North Yorkshire County Council spokesman said: "The county council is very committed to safeguarding children and welcomes the decision as it provides some measure of justice for the young person concerned.

"Peter Foulsham's actions were a disgraceful breach of trust which we condemn in the strongest possible terms.

"Although the charges were brought against Peter Foulsham in his capacity as a foster carer for the City of York, at that time he was employed by North Yorkshire County Council as the youth offending team manager.

"As soon as the county council was made aware of the charges Peter Foulsham was suspended from his duties with the youth offending team. The county council will now take further disciplinary action."

Updated: 10:10 Wednesday, April 20, 2005