Teen accused of attempted Jetstar hijacking argues mental impairment in court
Consensus Summary
A 19-year-old, then 17, is accused of attempting to hijack a Jetstar flight at Avalon Airport on March 6, 2025, armed with a fake bomb, shotgun, and other weapons. He entered the airport through a fence, boarded the plane wearing a high-vis vest, and was restrained by a passenger before whispering demands to crew. Defence lawyers argue he was mentally impaired at the time, citing neuropsychological evidence and his later expressions of gratitude toward passengers, while prosecutors claim he acted with ideological motivation and planned the hijacking for months. The case hinges on whether it should proceed in the Childrenâs Court or be moved to a higher court for a jury trial, with Judge Jack Vandersteen expected to decide. Both sides dispute the boyâs internet history, mental state coherence, and the presence of a political motive, though all agree his actions were premeditated to some degree.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- A 19-year-old (then 17) allegedly attempted to hijack a Jetstar flight at Avalon Airport, Geelong, on March 6, 2025, armed with a fake bomb, shotgun, and other weapons.
- The teenager entered the airport through a hole in a fence and boarded the plane wearing a high-vis vest and tool belt, pretending to be a maintenance worker.
- The boy was restrained by a passenger (Barry Clark) and later told police the passengers were 'heroes' and he wanted to thank them.
- Defence barrister Patrick Doyle SC argued the teenager was suffering from mental impairment at the time of the alleged offence, citing neuropsychological evidence.
- Prosecutor Paul Holdenson KC argued the case should be moved to a higher court for a jury trial, citing alleged ideological/political motivation and planning.
- The teenager allegedly took two shotguns, a rifle, ammunition, knives, petrol bombs, and a fake explosive device from his fatherâs gun safe before driving to Avalon Airport.
- The boy stopped at Hungry Jackâs in Little River before entering the airport, arriving around 2:15 PM on March 6, 2025.
- The teenager allegedly whispered to crew: 'I have bombs in my bag' and 'I need to go into the cockpit' before being restrained.
- Childrenâs Court president Judge Jack Vandersteen will decide whether to uplift the case to a higher court (County or Supreme Court).
- The boyâs internet history included searches for Bassel al-Assad International Airport (Syria), long-range aviation, and shooting down military aircraft.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The defence argued a typed note from prosecutors could generate 'significant antipathy' if left to a jury, citing emotive material.
- The boy allegedly told police he 'whispered' demands to the crew and didnât want to alarm passengers.
- The boyâs friends reported he pushed them away before saying he had 'found a great path' and called it 'joyous news'.
- The boy allegedly described feeling 'an intense sense of calm and relief' after being apprehended.
- Prosecutors allege the boy searched for maps of Avalon Airport as early as October 13, 2024.
- The boy allegedly told Barry Clark, the passenger who restrained him: 'You're a good man, you know what youâre doing and I respect you.'
- The boy described feeling 'a weight off his shoulders' after being restrained.
- The boy allegedly said he wanted to 'subdue the crew' but did not want to alarm others on the plane.
- The boyâs mental health deterioration included skipping work, crying loudly in his bedroom, and isolating from friends after a romantic rejection.
- The boyâs father owned four firearms, including two shotguns and a rifle, and the teen held a junior firearms licence.
- The boyâs mother dropped him at work before he walked to the train station and took a taxi home in cash on the day of the incident.
- The boy allegedly carried a teddy bear onto the plane alongside weapons.
- The boyâs ute contained another gun, a letter written using a typewriter, and mobile phones.
- The boy allegedly said during restraint: 'I wouldnât hurt anyone' (contradicted by another witness who claimed he said he 'had this planned for months').
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Theage reports the boy allegedly said 'I wouldnât hurt anyone' during restraint, but another witness (per Theage) claimed he said he 'did it to hurt people, I have had this planned for months'.
- Newscomau and Theage describe the boyâs internet searches as 'incoherent' or 'confusing,' but Theage emphasizes the searches included 'airports and shooting down planes,' while Newscomau downplays it as 'interest in aviation.'
- Newscomau states the boyâs political motive was 'unable to be articulated by prosecutors,' while Theage frames it as a key dispute where prosecutors allege 'ideological motivation.'
- ABC and Newscomau describe the boyâs mental state as 'not thinking clearly,' but Theage adds he had 'a range of mental health conditions' with 'significant deterioration' before the incident.
- Newscomau claims the boyâs admissions 'went beyond admissions of the facts of the offending,' while Theage does not explicitly mention this level of detail in admissions.
Source Articles
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