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Ex-Coach Accused Of Sex With Player Pleads Guilty

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Cliff Foster entered court this morning in handcuffs and shackles. The former Pine Richland varsity girls' basketball coach pleaded guilty to institutional sexual assault and corruption of minors.

He accepted the plea deal and apologized to the victim for his actions.

Foster, 33, will spend 11 1-2 to 23 months in jail and seven years on probation for having sex with a 16-year-old student, who was a player on the basketball team he coached. Foster's attorney says he's pleased with the sentence.

"We're happy to get this process over with. Cliff from the beginning has been honest, forthright, we've cooperated since the beginning. I think it was abundantly apparent to the court and to the D.A.'s office, that we were contrite and honest throughout this proceeding," said Foster's attorney, Robert Andrews, after the plea hearing.

Foster was arrested last year. He was released on bond, but ordered back to jail in January, after he was accused of sending text messages and letters to the victim, even though he was ordered not to have contact with her.

In addition to jail time and probation, Foster can't have contact with the victim for 10 years and he can't have access to the Internet via a cell phone or any other means. He must also be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life.

"Our intentions from the beginning was to minimize any exposure to the victim, to the family, we've kept them completely out of the system throughout the legal process," said Andrews.

When Judge Jill Rangos asked Foster what he wanted to say for himself, he said, "I'm very sorry to the victim and her entire family for this."

Foster's sentence includes the time he's already spent in the Allegheny County Jail.

He's been there since January.

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