An 18-Year-Old Teenager has been denied bail by the Supreme Court of Victoria after allegedly posting Islamic State Propaganda online and sending violent threats to a Melbourne synagogue. Justice Rowena Orr ruled that releasing the youth diagnosed with autism and multiple mental health conditions posed an “unacceptable risk to the community.” The teen, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been in custody since May and faces charges of publishing and possessing extremist material, as well as making threats to kill, each carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.
Police discovered a mobile phone hidden inside a bathroom wall during a raid on the teen’s home, containing a video in which he appeared to pledge allegiance to the Islamic State. The court also heard he used Instagram to share graphic propaganda depicting civilian executions. In a separate incident, he allegedly emailed the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation under the alias “Adolf Hitler,” threatening to shoot congregants during Shabbat and claiming explosives had been planted near a school. Justice Orr acknowledged the message caused “great distress” to recipients and underscored the seriousness of online radicalization.
This is not the first time the teen has been investigated for terrorism-related behavior. In 2021, he spent 93 days in custody before the Children’s Court halted proceedings after it was revealed that federal counterterrorism operatives had embedded a covert agent into his rehabilitation program. His mother accused authorities of “grooming” him toward extremism. Justice Orr noted the “enduring nature” of his fixation and cited troubling behavior while in detention, including attempts to steal staff keys and discussions about carrying out a stabbing. His legal team argued that his time on remand might exceed any eventual sentence.
Despite arguments from defense lawyers that the teen’s autism and mental health challenges rendered him incapable of executing violent acts, Justice Orr concluded that even strict parental supervision and community programs could not mitigate the risk. She pointed to his repeated internet searches for phrases like “10 ways to cover up a murder” and his breach of prior bail conditions. The judge emphasized that while his vulnerabilities are real, the persistence of his extremist interest—and signs of escalating intent make release untenable under Victoria’s community-safety-focused bail laws.
The case exposes the tension between protecting public safety and addressing the root causes of radicalization in vulnerable youth. Experts warn that punitive approaches without therapeutic intervention may deepen alienation. Yet Justice Orr’s ruling reflects a judicial system increasingly wary of the rapid escalation from online rhetoric to real-world violence. The teen’s drawings such as one depicting a stick figure shooting at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with the caption “Aim to kill as many Aussie dogs as possible”—further complicated any argument for leniency.
Justice Orr’s judgment serves as a stark reminder that online activity can be a precursor to physical harm. “Posting terror material can quickly escalate to real world acts,” she wrote, underscoring the blurred line between fantasy and intent in the digital age. While the teen’s mental health and past trauma demand compassion, the court prioritized the safety of a community already shaken by hate-fueled threats. The Path Forward Must Include Both Accountability And Healing.
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