SA Police have asked the state’s top prosecutors to decide whether a southern suburbs teenager should be tried as an adult for allegedly taking a pipe bomb on a bus, a court has heard.

The 16-year-old, whose identity is suppressed under state law, faced the Adelaide Youth Court on Monday.

He is charged with multiple counts of possessing, using and manufacturing explosives as well as endangering life.

The teen was arrested on March 5 after a report to police, which indicated he intended to self-harm.

Police allege CCTV vision and witness statements show he had explosives on the bus, which was travelling along a southern suburbs route, but they were not detonated.

Last month, counsel for the boy indicated their client would plead guilty to the explosives offences but would contest the endangering life charge.

On Monday, SA Police said advice was being sought from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions as to whether the teen should be tried as an adult.

The teen was remanded in custody to face court again in July.

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