<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>FOLLOW LIVE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/federal-budget-reply-2026-angus-taylor-migration-live-updates-latest-politics-news-healdines/02456619-4916-41f3-8e83-f64a6e30fc60" rel="" target="" title="'Mass migration': Taylor reply to restrict immigrants"><strong><span>'Mass migration': Taylor reply to restrict immigrants</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Supported by his parents, the teenager smiled and waved as he entered court for sentencing.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/propaganda-teenager-islamic-state-online-jewish-congregation-released-melbourne/23dc55a3-4665-46d2-9b2e-0ac51edcdd0d" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The magistrate released the teenager under a 12-month supervision order, describing it as the toughest penalty available outside detention.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/woman-accused-of-plotting-to-kill-sydney-crime-gang-leader/d453c9ed-0181-44f1-bf62-c24385a42b19" rel="" target="" title="Young woman charged over 'extremely serious' alleged plot to kill top crime gang figure"><strong><span>Young woman charged over 'extremely serious' alleged plot to kill top crime gang figure</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He is also prohibited from purchasing weapons.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It is not in dispute that he should be released," the magistrate said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Only so much can be done here, nothing is going to be perfect."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The court heard the teenager had already spent 357 days on remand before sentencing.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/more-than-100-charges-against-14-year-old-melbourne-girl-dropped/1a368e80-feea-4e16-bf7e-64d16410583e" rel="" target="" title="More than 100 charges against 14-year-old Melbourne girl dropped"><strong><span>More than 100 charges against 14-year-old Melbourne girl dropped</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Outside court, his parents said they planned to sue the Australian Federal Police, claiming officers discriminated against their son because of his age and disability.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We have suffered," they told reporters.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The teenager will return to court in May next year for judicial monitoring.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>– with Associated Press</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>If you have been impacted by the attack in Bondi there is support available.</span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>To contact</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/" target="_blank" title="Lifeline Australia"><strong><span>Lifeline Australia</span></strong></a><strong><span>, call 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14. For people under 25, you can contact</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://kidshelpline.com.au/" target="_blank" title="Kids Helpline"><strong><span>Kids Helpline</span></strong></a><span> </span><strong><span>at 1800 55 1800.</span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>Both of these are available 24/7.</span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><strong><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>