Former Riverland SA Police officer Robert Charles Warland seeks to reverse plea on child grooming charge

An ex police officer who admitted grooming a child for sex has made a shock decision – one that has cost him his lawyers.

Former SA Police officer and well-known Riverland identity Robert Charles Warland wants to withdraw his guilty plea to a child grooming charge and stand trial instead, a court has heard.

Warland was due to face the District Court on Thursday to face sentencing submissions, having pleaded guilty to communicating with a child online for sex.

However Patrick Hill, for Warland, told the court the one-time footballing identity’s attitude toward the charge had changed – and that he was, technically, no longer his lawyer.

“I’m appearing as a friend of the court as those who were instructing me are no longer instructed by Warland,” he said.

“Warland seeks to pursue an application to withdraw his plea of guilty … as a result, my instructors are no longer in a position to act.

“He is seeking to engage new instructors who, I anticipate, will instruct me (again) as this matter progresses.”

Retired senior Riverland SA Police officer Robert Charles Warland. Picture: Supplied

Warland outside court. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Morgan Sette

In February, Warland, 71, pleaded guilty to having communicated with a child under 17 to make them amenable to sex.

He committed those offences by communicating with the child – whose identity is suppressed by law – between May 15 and 23, 2022.

Warland was, at that time, a life member, former president and hall of fame member at the Berri Football Club, as well as its head patron – he was stood down after being charged.

His confession came after a series of court hearings in which Warland sought to have his name suppressed, then abandoned his bid for secrecy.

Warland was stood down from the Berri Football Club after being charged. Picture: Supplied

On Thursday, Mr Hill said he hoped Warland could find a new solicitor “relatively quickly”, and they could then correspond with prosecutors.

“An adjournment will give us time to put material to the prosecution as to the reasons for the application to withdraw the plea,” he said.

“We will then be able to tell the court, on the next occasion, whether the application will be pursued and whether there is a dispute or not.”

Prosecutors said they did not oppose the adjournment, but noted their “preliminary position” was that Warland’s plea should stand as entered.

Judge Michelle Sutcliffe remanded Warland on continuing bail until September.