Advertisement

Blackburn Teen In Court Over Oz Terror 'Plot'

Blackburn Teen In Court Over Oz Terror 'Plot'

A 14-year-old boy from Blackburn has made a brief appearance at the Old Bailey after being charged in connection with an alleged terrorist plot in Australia.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested for the second time earlier this week over the alleged plan to attack the ANZAC Day commemorations.

Earlier on Friday, he appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court accused of two offences of inciting terrorism overseas - including inciting another person to behead someone - and was remanded to a youth detention facility.

Dressed in a police-issue grey tracksuit, he stood with his arms folded as he confirmed his name, age and address.

Deborah Walsh, from the Counter Terrorism at the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "The first allegation is that, between 15 and 26 March 2015, the defendant incited another person to commit an act of terrorism, namely to carry out an attack at an ANZAC parade in Australia with the aim of killing and/or causing serious injury to people.

"The second allegation is that on 18 March 2015, the defendant incited another person to behead someone in Australia."

His arrest followed the examination of several electronic devices.

The teenager's case was adjourned until 14 May and Mr Justice Saunders said he intended to hear the case in Manchester.

Counter-terrorism officers in Australia also arrested two teenagers on Saturday on suspicion of planning an attack on an ANZAC ceremony in Melbourne.

The plot is alleged to have involved targeting police officers.

The Australian police operation has resulted in five arrests.

The ANZAC Day ceremonies - commemorating the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps' First World War battle in Gallipoli on 25 April - are particularly significant in this, its centenary year.