Ex-SANFL and SACA umpire Brett Daniel Allford jailed for 23 years

A “serious child sexual predator” has been given an exceptionally lengthy sentence for grooming young girls on Snapchat and Instagram – until one parent stepped in.

A “serious child sexual predator” who groomed 10 young girls over Snapchat and Instagram – buying them food, clothing and underwear in exchange for graphic images – has been jailed for over two decades.

Brett Daniel Allford, of Edwardstown, slumped his head over video link from prison to the District Court on Monday as Judge Paul Muscat said he had very little prospects of rehabilitation, and would serve a lengthy sentence.

The former SANFL and SACA umpire pleaded guilty to soliciting child abuse material from young girls in the UK, but the court heard he had been “manipulating” his victims, sending them money for Uber Eats and Shein vouchers in exchange for their co-operation.

All 14 offences were committed against 10 girls between 2021 and 2022, with the court hearing Allford’s offending had been discovered after the father of one victim raised the alert with authorities in England.

Allford had used Snapchat and Instagram to solicit child abuse material from the girls, and had gone out of his way to hide the fact he was secretly recording their explicit video conversations.

SACA and SANFL umpire Brett Allford has been jailed for two decades. Picture: Facebook

“You were arrested by police, your phone was seized and forensically examined. It was found to contain images and videos of child abuse material,” Judge Muscat said.

“Seven of the videos were created using a screen recording software that enabled you to record what you were viewing without their knowledge. They recorded your messages over Snapchat and Instagram.

“You made a websearch of ‘how to record snapchat calls without them knowing’. You then downloaded an app so that the girls did not know you were recording them.”

Judge Muscat said Allford would further “manipulate” his victims into sending the photos and videos by offering to send them money to spend on clothes or food in return.

“In exchange for each image or video, you would enable them to purchase food from Uber Eats, or clothing from the online brand Shein, by sending them your banking details and providing a spending limit,” Judge Muscat said.

“You also made payments using an Amazon account, and arranged for cigarettes, clothing and makeup to be delivered to them.”

Brett Allford umpiring a game. Picture: YouTube

“(One victim) sent you hundreds of images and videos. She estimates she received at least 500 pounds from you.”

Judge Muscat said Allford, who is a father of two, had affected his victims in a “variety of ways,” with one victim in particular left “feeling horrible within myself”.

“The Commissioner for Victims’ Rights gave a community impact statement regarding the social impact of the offences,” he said.

“As the commissioner wrote, we live in a highly connected world where the use of digital technologies are part of our lives. While these technologies have enhanced our lives, they have also dramatically altered the dynamics of child sexual abuse and exploitation.

“Offenders often use a variety of techniques, including fear, flattery, gifts and payments to persuade, pressure and manipulate children to co-operate.

“Child sex offenders destroy innocence.”

Judge Muscat said if he were to impose a full sentence for each count, Allford would spent more than 57 years behind bars.

However, he said any sentence needed to be proportionate to the offending, and imposed a head sentence of 23 years, with a non-parole period of 17 years.

That sentence was backdated to his arrest, meaning Allford will be eligible for parole in October, 2039.

Originally published as Ex-SANFL and SACA umpire Brett Daniel Allford jailed for 23 years