Teen blames ‘attention seeking’ for alleged terror plan

A 16-year-old boy wanted to attract attention when discussing plans to facilitate a terror attack in online chat rooms but had no intention of carrying it out, a court heard.

He was arrested in December following a joint NSW counter-terrorism investigation into a report that someone had posted violent extremist threats online.

The teenager was originally charged with weapons offenses after officers found a gel blaster and a knife during a raid at a home in Sydney’s west.

However, five terrorism charges were laid after examination of his electronic devices detected violent extremist material and information that could assist in committing a terrorist act.

The teenager allegedly created a document called the “Terrorist Plan” after joining an online chat group named after a misanthropic organization that advocated violence.

The teenager told police he was discussing terrorist acts because of “notoriety online”, indicating he had no intention of acting on them, his lawyer told the NSW Children’s Court on Wednesday.

“These statements were made to attract attention in the attention-seeking atmosphere of online chat rooms,” he said.

He stressed that his client’s mental health issues and need for support were compelling reasons why he should be granted bail under strict conditions.

However, the prosecutor argued that the interests of the 16-year-old boy came before the primary concern for the safety of the community.

He claimed the teenager breached his bail conditions by continuing to access violent extremist material on his phone.

The court was told the 16-year-old was allegedly involved in plans for a terrorist incident earlier this year which did not occur.

The prosecutor argued that the terrorist attack did not need to be legalized to meet the elements of the charges.

“For the safety of the community, your Honor should not grant bail,” he said.

Judge Keisha Hopgood said the 16-year-old was accused of downloading material related to stabbings and mass killings.

He said saving this material on personal devices “doesn’t have the flavor” of attracting the attention of others as claimed.

The judge accepted the teenager had sought help after experiencing severe deprivation throughout his childhood, but denied him bail.

“These matters are extremely serious and give the court serious concerns,” he said.

The 16-year-old will appear in court in late April.

He faces seven charges, including two counts of producing documents to facilitate a terrorist attack and two counts of possessing violent extremist material.

Lifeline 13 11 14

Child Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)