Former country police officer Robert Charles Warland awaits fate for communicating to procure a child for sex
A former country police officer has begged for no jail, with the court hearing his “terrible, dark secret” was the main reason for exchanging explicit photographs with a child.
Police & Courts
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A former country police officer’s “unresolved homosexuality” was a significant factor in him communicating with a child to procure them for sex, a court heard.
Robert Charles Warland, 72, spent his entire career in law enforcement before succumbing to his temptation for a child he met on an adult dating site.
Izelcan Ozturk, for the prosecution, pushed for immediate jail in the District Court on Thursday, saying there was a significant age gap between Warland and the victim, who he knew was 14.
The court heard explicit photographs were exchanged between Warland and the victim, as well discussions of their sexual preferences and experiences in May 2022.
Warland pleaded guilty to communicating with the intention of procuring a child for sexual activity.
Giving evidence, psychologist Richard Balfour told the court Warland’s “unresolved homosexuality” was a significant contributing factor to his offending.
Mr Balfour said Warland did not meet the diagnostic criteria for a pedophilic disorder but rather his mental health issues because of his hidden homosexuality is what led to it.
“He was a very prominent, well regarded sporting identity within his community and a police officer,” he said.
“He had coached children’s sporting teams and a career pedophile would have used those opportunities to exploit children and there’s never been any suggestion that he’s done that.”
The court heard Warland - who tried to hide his “terrible, dark secret” for most of his adult life - only began exploring his homosexuality in his 40s through the internet.
Mr Balfour said Warland had even gone as far to seek out a hypnotherapist to see if he could be “cured of his homosexuality” in 2023.
Patrick Hill, for Warland, pushed for a good behaviour bond - the only sentencing option available besides immediate jail - saying it was a “most unusual” version of the offence.
Mr Hill said Warland - who met the victim on an adult dating site - said his client showed initial reluctance but admitted he didn’t disengage with the victim when he should have.
“He did participate for a short time but he was not grooming him,” he said.
The court heard Warland eventually stopped replying to the victim before un-adding him.
Mr Hill said Warland joined the police force at 17, where he experienced much trauma, before retiring in 2012 at 60.
The court heard Warland was a life member, former president and hall of fame member at the Berri Football Club.
Mr Hill said a jail term was terrifying for the former police officer and Warland had already suffered greatly from the offending, including losing his marriage to a woman of 43 years.
Judge Michelle Sutcliffe will sentence Warland later this month.
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