A 17-year-old boy who allegedly tried to force his way on to a Jetstar flight at Victoria’s second largest airport with a shotgun earlier this month, before being dramatically overpowered by passengers, is facing fresh commonwealth charges including attempted hijacking.
Police allege the boy climbed through a hole in a fence at Avalon airport, near Geelong, on 6 March before making his way on foot to the aircraft at about 2.20pm.
About 160 passengers were onboard the Jetstar plane, which was due to fly to Sydney.
The teen, who cannot be named for legal reasons, did not appear at a children’s court hearing on Friday where the commissioner of the Australian Federal Police applied for a suppression order.
The teen was originally charged with 12 Victorian offences but the court was told he is facing further federal charges.
They are assaulting a member of an airline crew, attempted hijack, prejudicing the safe operation of an aircraft with intent to kill, and prejudicing the safe operation of an aircraft.
It was revealed a joint counter-terrorism taskforce was involved in the investigation and the boy may have communicated with a foreigner or foreign entity over the 6 March incident.
Federal police successfully obtained a suppression on the identity of the foreigners, as well as the nature or content of the boy’s communications. The nature or contents of documents allegedly found in the accused’s vehicle have also been suppressed.
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He is further charged with possessing cartridge ammunition and a registered category B long-arm without the appropriate licences, and being a learner driver who was driving unsupervised on Beach Road.
The boy is due to return to a children’s court in April.
