An 18-year-old who spread Islamic State propaganda online and threatened a Melbourne synagogue has walked free after spending almost a year behind bars awaiting sentence.
The teenager, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was sentenced in children's court on Thursday after pleading guilty to counter-terrorism offences, including publishing extremist material and using a carriage service to make a threat to kill.
Police arrested the teen in May 2025 after he allegedly emailed the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation under the name Adolf Hitler, warning that a gunman would attack the synagogue during Shabbat services.
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The court heard he also uploaded an Islamic State promotional video to Instagram showing captives being executed, alongside images of himself posing with knives and machetes.
Supported by his parents, the teenager smiled and waved as he entered court for sentencing.
His lawyer argued detention had taken a significant toll on his client, telling the court the teenager faced major health challenges and had good prospects of rehabilitation.
"There is also a reflection the impact of that custody has had. It is not controversial that he has found it harder than a person of average health," the lawyer said.
The magistrate released the teenager under a 12-month supervision order, describing it as the toughest penalty available outside detention.
Under the order, he must attend weekly appointments with a forensic psychologist, cannot access the internet unless supervised, and is banned from going within 200 metres of the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation synagogue.
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He is also prohibited from purchasing weapons.
"It is not in dispute that he should be released," the magistrate said.
"Only so much can be done here, nothing is going to be perfect."
The court heard the teenager had already spent 357 days on remand before sentencing.
In handing down the decision, the magistrate noted the teen lived with several complex conditions, including autism, ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder and borderline cognitive functioning.
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The teenager had previously faced separate counter-terrorism charges in 2021, but those proceedings were halted in 2023 after a magistrate found police had acted inappropriately during the investigation.
Outside court, his parents said they planned to sue the Australian Federal Police, alleging the agency discriminated against their son because of his age and disability.
"We have suffered," they told reporters.
The teenager will return to court in May next year for judicial monitoring.
– with Associated Press
If you have been impacted by the attack in Bondi there is support available.
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