Teenage boy accused of attempting to hijack Jetstar flight from Avalon Airport has court case delayed

The case against a teenager accused of attempting to hijack a Jetstar flight has been delayed into the new year as an “other aspect” is investigated by his defence team. The boy, who was aged 17 when the alleged incident unfolded, appeared in a Children’s Court on Thursday morning for a mention in his case. Police allege he was arrested on board a Jetstar plane at Avalon Airport in the afternoon of March 6, after entering the Geelong airport through a hole in a fence. Wearing high-vis, the teenager allegedly shouted “I’ve got bombs in my bag” and carried a shotgun, knife and molotov cocktail before being detained by staff and passengers. He is charged with offences including attempting to seize control of a flight, intimidating a crew member by claiming he had a bomb, possessing firearms and boarding a flight without authorisation. In court, a lawyer representing the Chief Commissioner of the Federal Police requested a suppression order barring media reporting of parts of the case. Imposed following the boy’s arrest in March, the order included suppression of the identities of any “foreign entities” the boy did, or attempted to, communicate with. “From the Commissioner’s perspective, the application to extend is made on the same basis (as the previous extension),” she said. “There has been progress … it has been advanced somewhat, with discussion taking place over the last week.” After Children’s Court president Judge Jack Vandersteen read a confidential affidavit in support of extending the order, he said he was “satisfied” an extension was justified. Previously, it was argued the suppression order was necessary to allow “other inquiries” to go unimpeded. The teenager’s barrister, Amy Brennan, told the court there was ongoing work behind the scenes that needed to play out, and requested an adjournment until the new year. “We are keen for this matter to progress,” she said. During previous court hearings, Ms Brennan has flagged the defence team had ordered reports on the boy’s physical and psychiatric health. Judge Vandersteen said he understood the parties were “doing a lot outside of court” and adjourned the matter to a date in February. The court was told the prosecution were currently seeking to “uplift” the matter to a higher court but were awaiting something the teenager’s defence team were investigating. “Our instructions remain the same but given the other aspect being investigated … whether that changes the position I can’t say at this stage,” a prosecutor said. The teenager will return to court in February.