A WA teenager has accepted responsibility for threatening to “Christchurch 2.0 this joint” in a post on the Instagram page of a Sydney mosque and has been ordered into a de-radicalisation program.
The 16-year-old Eaton boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faced Bunbury Children’s Court charged with creating a false apprehension to the existence of threats or danger on Friday.
He made nationwide headlines last month when he posted after a member of the Australian Islamic House — Masjid Al-Bayt Al-Islami — in Edmondson Park saw a comment on its Instagram page threatening to “Christchurch 2.0” the mosque.
“Get your g** s*** out of Australia,” he also posted.
“Go marry a nine-year-old girl in your own country”.
The teenager, after formally accepting responsibility for the act, was referred to the juvenile justice team, with it expected he will avoid a criminal conviction if he successfully completes a countering violent extremism program.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Jane Gillham told the court the teen had other “abhorrent content” on his personal mobile phone, which police seized in the search of his bedroom on March 4.
This included a video saved in the camera roll of the phone of the Christchurch massacre, and a TikTok video of a photo of a mosque next to a screenshot of a mosque after it had been bombed.
Sgt Gillham told the court a black ski mask was also seized from the teen’s bedroom, and was “an exact replica of the one used in the Christchurch shooting”.
The court was further told the ski mask was worn by the defendant in his Instagram profile picture.
She said undertaking a countering violent extremism program would be appropriate.
“He has already signed up and participating,” Sgt Gillham said.
“This is supported by his father and assisted by experts.
“He is acutely aware the comments made were not funny and far from a joke.”
Magistrate Stephen Butcher asked the defence if there should be concern regarding the ski mask.
“What’s one to make of the fact a ski mask was found?” he said.
“There’s a number of troubling aspects in relation to the conduct you’re here for.
“Your act caused fear in a community already on edge. There is no place in our community or society for this. It should be condemned.”
Defence lawyer Jeremy Morris said he thought “nothing (was) to be made” of the possession of the ski mask.
“I don’t consider it to be honorary to the Christchurch massacre,” he said.
“(There was) no mechanism or intent clearly to follow through.”
Mr Morris said the teenager’s family have been concerned for his welfare and have been supporting him.
“He has been temporarily laid off from his employment due to court proceedings,” he said.
“He lives at home with his parents and brother. He maintains a good family network, a supportive network.
“His parents have enforced a tech free environment and no phone has been repurchased. He has been fully compliant with bail conditions.”
https://thewest.com.au/news/crime/christchurch-20-south-west-teen-court-ordered-to-undertake-countering-violent-extremism-program-c-18263506
