Prosecutors say threat posed by teenager, who has pleaded guilty to planning a terrorist act, was one of the gravest Victoria has faced

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

A radicalised Melbourne teenager who had bomb-making materials under his bed has admitted preparing for a terrorist act.

Police say they found manuals titled “Pressure Cooker Backpack Bomb with Switch Detonator” and “Make a Bomb in the Kitchen of your Mom” on encrypted computer software owned by the 17-year-old.

The teenager pleaded guilty on Monday to a single charge of engaging in an act in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act between 15 April and 8 May this year.

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His supporters in the children’s court included a woman who cried as he looked down and quietly replied “guilty” when asked how he wished to plead.

Prosecutors dropped two other charges against the teenager.

He was arrested on 8 May after police raided his family’s home.

Prosecutors have previously said the threat posed by the teen was one of the closest Victoria has come to a terrorist attack.

Investigators said he was planning to make improvised explosive devices using items he had gathered from hardware and kitchen stores.

Police found steel pipes fitted with caps and boxes of screws under his bed, court documents said. He allegedly bought a pressure cooker at the end of April, telling a kitchen store clerk it was for his mother.

Police said a search of the teenager’s social media accounts revealed extremist ideology and support for politically-motivated violence, as well as interaction with pages run by Islamic State.

His phone had allegedly been used to view an IS propaganda magazine, including an issue that encouraged more attacks similar to those carried out by Man Haron Monis and Numan Haider.

One of many handwritten documents allegedly found in the teenager’s possession said: “Rise, O soldiers, the Islamic State is calling you. Come to it and fight its enemies the criminals.”

He will appear at a directions hearing in a county court on Thursday.

Melbourne teenager appears in court to face two terrorism-related charges Read more

The matter was expected to be heard in the Supreme Court, after prosecutors won a bid to uplift the case from the Children’s Court jurisdiction.

The young man did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody.





