Ex-SANFL, SACA umpire Brett Daniel Allford pleads guilty to child abuse, court told of 12 more victims

This Adelaide footy and cricket umpire has confessed to hoarding child abuse material – and prosecutors say they’ve found a dozen more victims.

A former SANFL and SACA umpire has pleaded guilty to three child sex abuse charges – and prosecutors have told a court they have identified “at least” 12 more victims.

The Adelaide Magistrates Court has also heard Brett Daniel Allford is prepared to confess to 11 more offences, including lying to the sports bodies about having permission to work with children.

On Tuesday, counsel for Allford said their client was ready to plead guilty to using Snapchat and Instagram to solicit child abuse material.

Former SACA and SANFL umpire Brett Allford has pleaded guilty to three child sex abuse charges. Picture: Facebook

Brett Allford umpiring a game in March. Picture: YouTube

A Commonwealth prosecutor, however, asked Allford’s hearing be postponed, saying there had been “significant developments” since his last court appearance.

“Since that date, there have been at least 12 more victims identified, and we have yet to lay more charges,” she said.

“We’re still awaiting digital forensic reports, and so we’re asking for an adjournment.”

That prompted a stern response from Allford’s counsel, who asked: “Are there going to be further charges or not?”

Magistrate Simon Smart replied: “Sounds like there might be but, in the meantime, I will take your client’s pleas to these charges.”

In October, Mr Allford, 40, of Edwardstown, was charged with using a carriage service, namely the internet, to possess, control and solicit child abuse material.

Following his arrest, The Advertiser revealed neither SANFL nor SACA realised Mr Allford’s working-with-children clearance was invalid, prompting recruiting process reviews.

In November, Mr Allford was further charged with undertaking child-related work despite being banned from doing so, and with lying to authorities about it over a two-year period.

On Tuesday, Allford pleaded guilty to two counts of using a carriage service to solicit child abuse material.

Those offences occurred at Edwardstown between January and August last year, via the Snapchat and Instagram apps.

He also pleaded guilty to one count of possessing or controlling child abuse material through a carriage service.

That offence, committed by storing abuse material on his mobile phone, occurred at Edwardstown in October last year.

Allford’s counsel said he expected the remaining charges to “resolve by way of guilty pleas” after further consultation with his client.

Mr Smart remanded Allford in custody to face the District Court in April, when a date for sentencing submissions will be set.