Teen ‘willing to perform’ terrorist acts, accessed material at school
A teenage boy aiming to return to school is “willing to perform” terrorist acts and is a threat to the community, a court has heard.
SA News
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A teenage boy charged with extremist offences is a threat to the community, and has a “certain willingness to perform” terrorist acts, a court has heard.
The 14-year-old, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, faced the Adelaide Youth Court on Friday afternoon after his arrest by the Counter Terrorism and Security Section detectives on Thursday.
Prosecutors told the court they were opposed to any form of bail other than home detention, but only if he was banned from accessing electronic devices that can access the internet.
“The foundation for asking for home detention is the protection of the community. There is a concern in relation to communication that’s been sent from who we allege is the youth in relation to suggestions or threats, which, coupled with the allegations before the court, pose a real risk to the safety of the community,” the prosecutor said.
“They show a willingness to perform certain acts. Home detention is a necessary condition to alleviate that risk to the community.”
The prosecutor then asked Magistrate Tracee Micallef to impose a suppression order on the details of the boy’s alleged offending, saying his alleged conduct was in a more “sensitive category”, and involved social media.
“The matter is in its infancy in the investigation, and there is a great deal of material that is being reviewed in relation to messages over social media platforms,” the prosecutor said.
“The nature of these charges places it in a more sensitive category. Reporting of the nature of the charges may tend to inflame the situation in relation to this young person.”
Magistrate Micallef however dismissed the application, following submissions from the media.
The court heard the boy, who was allegedly in possession of explosive instructions, information for terrorist acts and extremist material, had planned to return to school next week, but had allegedly been accessing the material from his school devices.
“I understand from information provided by investigators, the youth does plan on re-attending school on Monday,” the prosecutor said.
“The information we’re provided is that he needs to be limited in relation to access he has to devices at school. There is an allegation that material is being accessed through school.”
The boy’s lawyer told the court home detention bail would be too “stringent”, with the youth having no prior criminal history.
“He’s never been before the court, or been arrested. The allegations, while serious, there was no location of weapons found, and no allegations that these would be acted out.
“These allegations are serious and will take a lengthy time to complete such investigations, in which (the boy) will be subject to bail conditions.”
Ms Micallef said she was not willing to consider anything less than home detention bail, and ordered a bail inquiry report.
“I’d like the bail inquiry report to cover how, if the youth is released and goes back to school, he will achieve his school requirements if he is prevented from using electronic equipment,” she said.
He will remain in custody until another bail hearing next month.
Police said in South Australia it is an offence to possess extremist material “pursuant to section 37 of the Summary Offences Act, 1953”.
“It is also an offence to possess explosive instructions in contravention of s83O of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935. Material that directly or indirectly encourages, glorifies, promotes or condones terrorist acts; or seeks support for, or justifies the carrying out of terrorist acts is considered to be extremist material,” police said in a statement.
Anyone with information on possession, production or distribution of extremist material can contact the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400 or Crime Stoppers at www.crimestopperssa.com.au or 1800 333 000.
Information can be provided anonymously.
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