Teenager accused of Sydney church stabbing has history of behaviour consistent with mental illness, court hears

A teenage boy facing a possible life term in prison for terrorism over the stabbing of a bishop has shown behaviour consistent with mental illness or intellectual disability, his lawyer has said.

The 16-year-old is accused of travelling 90 minutes from his home to attack Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel during a livestreamed sermon at Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, Sydney, on Monday night.

Investigators from a joint counter-terrorism team, incorporating state and federal police and Asio staff, interviewed the boy in his hospital bed on Thursday before charging him with committing a terrorist act.

The 16-year-old’s lawyer, Greg Scragg, said he may seek an earlier date, having been instructed the boy had a long history of behaviour consistent with a mental illness or intellectual disability.

“We may seek to bring this matter back earlier if a question arises in relation to his treatment or assessment for those conditions whilst he’s in custody,” he told Parramatta children’s court.

Dozens of police were injured, their cars vandalised and a cohort of officers and paramedics were forced to shelter inside the place of worship, prompting religious leaders to call for calm.