Molestation hearing delayed for foster dad

July 27, 2007, 12:00 AM Daily Journal Staff Report

The English software designer accused of repeatedly molesting a 9-year-old foster child he was in the process of adopting will learn next month if he’ll stand trial on 25 counts of lewd and lascivious behavior and a misdemeanor charge of showing pornography to a child with the intent to cause arousal.

Tarquin Craig Thomas, 41, remains in custody in lieu of $1 million bail while awaiting an Aug. 22 preliminary hearing.

Thomas is a citizen of the United Kingdom living in San Mateo who worked as a software designer for Barclays investment firm between September and November 2005. Thomas also had a vacation home in Oregon and arranged to have a 9-year-old boy needing foster care in that state to be placed with him in San Mateo, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Shortly after the boy arrived in San Mateo, prosecutors say Thomas began adoption procedures and molesting his future son. After the boy reported the abuse and returned to Oregon, Thomas allegedly kept tabs on him through a global tracking device. The child was taken out of Thomas’ custody so quickly he left belongings at the San Mateo home. Thomas sent the items to Oregon, including the framed print of the two together which had the secret GPS chip, said Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.

Thomas contacted the boy’s biological mother with hopes of retrieving the boy and returning to the United Kingdom, Wagstaffe said.