A former Brookside actor has been jailed for a £13.6m modelling fraud after running from his trial and hiding in Spain. Philip Foster, 51, was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court in February 2025 in his absence to eight and a half years for fraud and money laundering, then given an extra six-month term for absconding after his September arrest in Alicante. The court heard Foster ran a network of fake modelling agencies and photographic studios for more than eight years, targeting thousands of people who wanted modelling work and also their parents. National Trading Standards carried out a six-year investigation and found more than 6,000 victims handed over money after being falsely promised paid opportunities. Victims were drawn in through social media adverts, lured to supposed free photo shoots, then told they needed to buy a portfolio of photographs to join an agency. Some victims covered the upfront payments using credit arrangements or expensive payday loans organised by the fraudsters. In return, they received poor quality digital photographs and most were never offered paid modelling jobs. At sentencing, Judge David Dixon said Foster was a “coward” for hiding instead of coming to court. The judge pointed to Foster buying designer watches and a Porsche for his daughter and being photographed on yachts, describing a lifestyle “based on the income from this illegal scheme”. Foster’s barrister said Foster’s wife died from cancer and his son Michael was murdered around Christmas 2025. The judge noted that Foster’s co-defendants attended court for sentencing. Foster is now serving his jail terms after being arrested in Alicante in September and extradited to the UK.