Adelaide girl facing a sweep of serious terror charges fronts court hiding behind long black cloth
A young girl facing a series of serious terror charges has appeared in court for her first public hearing, hiding behind a long black cloth as she entered and left the courtroom.
South Australian terror officers raided the Adelaide girl in mid-March following an investigation, charging her with possession of explosive instructions and 19 charges of possession of extremist material.
The girl, who appeared before Magistrate Tracee Micallef at the Adelaide Youth Court on Friday, wore black jeans and trainers and sat quietly during the proceedings.
A young girl (pictured) facing a string of serious terror charges appeared before Magistrate Tracee Micallef in the Adelaide Youth Court on Friday.
South Australian terror police raided Adelaide girl in mid-March (photo, teen outside court on Friday)
Andrew Williams, appearing on behalf of the girl, asked Ms Micallef to close the hearing to protect his client’s welfare.
“This is a very young girl,” he said.
“This should be handled subtly and privately.”
Reporters at the hearing opposed the request to close the court, citing the public interest in the case. Ms Micallef adjourned the court to discuss the matter.
Upon her return, she decided to exclude the media from the hearing, but left open the possibility of reporting on the case in the future.
“The information provided to me for discussion related to the personal health and welfare of the young person, but the matter is simply adjourned for further consideration.
“So I’m not ruling out the media ad infinitum, each magistrate will judge the position based on what is heard that day.”
Andrew Williams (pictured), the girl’s lawyer, asked Magistrate Micallef to close the hearing to the media
The girl (photo) has been charged with possession of explosives instructions and 19 counts of possession of extremist material
The girl will return to court on April 19 for another hearing.
As she left the court, a young man in long black trousers and a long-sleeved white business shirt helped the girl to a waiting red car, which then sped away.
After her arrest in March, police said that “material that directly or indirectly encourages, glorifies, promotes or condones terrorist acts, or seeks support for or justifies the carrying out of terrorist acts, is considered extremist material.”