By Erin Pearson
A Melbourne teenager accused of compiling weapons and explosive chemicals with the intent of shooting up a bus stop and bombing a university has been deemed too dangerous to be released on bail.
Magistrate Malcolm Thomas found the 19-year-old, who cannot be named due to a court order, still possessed “homicidal ideation” months after being picked up for allegedly stockpiling chemicals and other bomb-making substances in a secret location.
The 19-year-old, who cannot be named, was refused bail and remanded in custody.Credit: Darrian Traynor
Thomas said the teen was a serious risk of carrying out an attack and killing people.
“The potential for harm cannot be overstated. If [the accused] carried out his plans, multiple people would be killed, injured and forever traumatised,” the magistrate said on Friday.
“There is a high risk of catastrophic consequences if he is released.”
Notes obtained by police, Thomas said, showed the teen had outlined plans to carry out attacks on education facilities and shoot up a bus stop, all while collecting videos of similar atrocities overseas and tributes to those who committed them.
The teen applied for bail this week, arguing he should be released because he has autism, was vulnerable in custody and had the strong support of his family, who helped organise a $150,000 NDIS package to help care for him in the community.
But Thomas said he feared the teen had the means to carry out an attack using items he’d hidden, including chemicals police were unable to recover.
Melbourne Magistrates’ Court heard police searched the family home three times over six months this year, and charged the teen with offences including possessing explosive substances without excuse and improperly storing ammunition.
Thomas noted a medical report suggested the teen had previously developed all-consuming fixations.
He said it also appeared the accused might have committed further offences while on bail and living with his parents.
Police allege the 19-year-old has continued to plan mass terror attacks, and submitted photographs of fresh notes and prison wall etchings found during a search on Thursday, in which the teen allegedly targeted police and transgender people.
The teen is also charged with improperly storing ammunition and possessing explosive substances without excuse.
He is due to return to court in January.
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.