Businessman kills himself and family over debts

A ruined businessman was filmed by his own security cameras cradling a rifle outside his country house where police now say he shot his wife and daughter before burning their home.

Detectives are pouring over hours of CCTV footage from Christopher Foster’s mansion that charts, second by second, how he killed his wife and teenage daughter before setting the house on fire.

Mr Foster appears to have cracked as his business empire crumbled and went on a murderous rampage rather than see the trappings of his wealth - his home, horses, and cars - seized by bailiffs.

The fortune he had amassed as director of Ulva Limited, a company supplying insulation pipes to offshore oil rigs, had vanished as it went into liquidation with debts of about £2 million. His creditors now effectively owned his property, and the bailiffs were about to move in.

A Court of Appeal judge had branded him 'bereft of the basic instincts of commercial morality' and someone not to be trusted.

On Bank Holiday Monday the businessman appeared his normal relaxed self as he enjoyed a barbecue and clay pigeon shoot at a neighbour’s house. He left for the short walk home across country fields with his wife and daughter at about 8.30pm.

Many people walk through the doors of the UCKG HelpCentre every week in order to find help for their debt and financial problems. Individuals are able to receive free advice and counselling as well as a prayer to give them strength to change their financial status, or to overcome any reoccurring problems. As a result, many have seen their financial situation changing for the better. Some have been able to clear their debts completely, whilst others have been able to better control their money.

"I always thought the Campaign of Israel was for other people. But when my business went bankrupt and I fell into depression, I changed my views and took part in it. I was tired of being humiliated by my colleagues because they knew I went to church but saw no proof of God in my life. I gave my all in a Campaign and God honoured me and took away my shame. Today I run my own private school, teaching different languages, postgraduate courses and administrative courses." Patricia Padro

If you are in a financial rut, don’t despair; make sure you attend this Chain of Prayer on Monday at 7.30pm also at 7am, 10am and 3pm at your local UCKG HelpCentre.

Released on Thursday 4th September 2008