An Adelaide man who admitted to abducting a four-month-old baby during a carjacking has been allowed to withdraw his guilty plea and take the matter to trial.
Ilias Sammy Latsis was arrested after allegedly stealing a car from outside a deli in Klemzig last year, which had the baby boy in a capsule on the back seat.
The incident sparked a widespread manhunt for the infant, who was found safe in the nearby suburb of Enfield hours later.
The 37-year-old pleaded guilty in the Adelaide Magistrates Court to abduction and car theft on the same day he was arrested, with his lawyer apologising to the child's family.
But at his next court appearance, Latsis applied to withdraw his guilty plea to the baby's abduction, telling the court he had no memory of appearing in court and instructing his lawyer to plead guilty to the charge.
The court previously heard Latsis was under the influence of drugs at the time of his alleged crime spree.
Magistrate questions reason for plea
Magistrate Roderick Jensen said in court today he believed Latsis was given appropriate legal advice and was of sound mind when his lawyer entered the guilty plea on his behalf.
Mr Jensen said Latsis raised no objection in court when the guilty plea was entered.
"I do query whether Mr Latsis entered his plea of guilty … out of a consciousness of guilt," Magistrate Jensen said.
"I think there is scope to conclude that it was more likely a plea of convenience … in order to avoid more serious charges and to secure the maximum discount on sentence.
"It was not until after Mr Latsis had time to reflect on his plea and more fully appreciate through correspondence with his sister and others the gravity of his offending that he truly comprehended the significance of his plea.
"It was in this context that he sought different representation to change solicitors before his second appearance before the court."
But Magistrate Jensen said he would allow Latsis to vacate his guilty plea to the abduction charge.
"I find that in the circumstances, the interests of justice favour allowing Mr Latsis to vacate his plea," he said.
Negotiations about other charges
Latsis's guilty pleas to the other charges, including car theft, will stay.
The matter will return to court in April.
Outside court, Latsis's lawyer, Heidi Salvemini, said she was still negotiating with prosecutors over the other charges.
"His Honour did what was in the interest of justice," she said.
"The matter's obviously not finalised.
"The client will be happy in relation to the abduction charge, definitely; he'll be disappointed in relation to the [other] charges."
