Australia’s youngest-ever self-confessed terrorist still a danger to the public, court hears

He swore fealty to IS when he was just a boy, but a court has been warned time in custody has not lessened this young terrorist’s radical views.

Australia’s youngest-ever self-confessed terrorist remains a danger to the public and must be strictly controlled when released on parole, a court has heard.

On Wednesday, state government lawyers asked the Supreme Court to consider imposing an extended supervision order upon the youth, now 17, when his non-parole period expires in September.

The court heard the youth – who swore allegiance to Islamic State and hoarded videos of beheadings – has yet to apply for early release from his three-year prison term.

His lawyer urged the court not to consider the application, saying the time needed to obtain a key psychological report could frustrate his client’s bid for freedom.

Lawyers asked the Supreme Court to consider imposing an extended supervision order upon the youth. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

The youth pleaded guilty to seven terrorism charges, including sharing bomb-making instructions, sharing IS propaganda and speaking its oath of loyalty when he was just 14.

Following his arrest, he was caught in custody with a homemade IS flag and a book about September 11, and spoke of attacking an Anzac Day service upon his release.

He also used a knife and a sharpened toothbrush in acts of violence against other children in youth detention.

The court heard the boy, who migrated to Australia from Bangladesh in 2011, told a psychologist he felt a sense of belonging from being in the group.

He also said he previously had fantasies of stabbing people and that was a calming thought for him.

The boy blamed Autism Spectrum Disorder for his offending, insisting he did not want to hurt anyone and simply “enjoyed the challenge” of finding prohibited material.

The District Court Judge rejected those claims, prompting the boy to publicly renounce IS, dub himself “stupid in youth and poor in judgment” – but insist he is not radicalised.

On Thursday, counsel for the government said a psychological report would be obtained from a NSW-based expert who specialises in radicalisation cases.

However, that report would not be completed for four months.

Chris Weir, for the youth, said his client had already spent two years in detention and objected to the delay, asking the application be decided more promptly.

But Justice Tim Stanley said there was no utility in doing so, given the key role the report would play in his determination.

He remanded the youth in custody to a further hearing in December.

Originally published as Australia’s youngest-ever self-confessed terrorist still a danger to the public, court hears