Would-be terrorist finally speaks

Life is feeling more positive – and golf is providing an outlet – for a teenager who once planned to commit a terrorist attack in Christchurch.

The youth spoke for the first time during his hearings yesterday when he addressed the judge at the Christchurch District Court at a judicial monitoring session.

The teenager left school at 15 years old, converted to Islam and became radicalised online.

Last year he planned to ram a car into a group of people and then stab them until the police killed him ‘‘for Allah’’.

He went through with a threatening a violent incident but ‘‘decided not to hurt anybody because he did not have the means to kill enough people’’.

Judge Stephen O’Driscoll asked him about his golf handicap after hearing he had been allowed to try the sport under his two-year supervision sentence since he was dealt with on weapon, threats, and damage charges in February.

Judges can choose to monitor people during their sentences and get regular reports. Community Corrections is supervising the teenager while he lives in supported accommodation.

In court the 18-year old asked if he could read a statement he had written for the judge. Permission was granted and he then stood and began reading.

In it he said there had been ‘‘many positive changes’’ in his behaviour, actions and problem solving.

‘‘Positive goals I have been working on include correspondence, life skills, history courses and counselling. I have been attending all my counselling sessions … My favourite activity is golf.

‘‘I have been attending visits at the mosque and have been discussing religious viewpoints. I have been working on strategies to help me deal with the problems I face in life … I am also learning to respect other people and their opinions.’’

He said he wanted to become more independent and move back with his mother to complete his sentence.

‘‘I feel much better in myself and feel more positive about life in general. I still have things to work on, but I am getting there slowly with the help of the [residence],’’ he said.

Community Corrections told the judge they were very pleased with his progress.

Judge O’Driscoll said they had had a special monitoring meeting on March 28.

‘‘I am very pleased with what I have read in the reports that have been provided to me saying you are making progress and there has been a marked improvement in your attitude and your general outlook on life.‘‘

The youth had been to a fourth treatment session with a departmental psychologist, who reported that he was now more open and engaged. No variations in his conditions of supervision were suggested.

‘‘You have been very honest and open with what you have said and I have been very pleased with the progress that’s been made. It is the first time I have heard you speak,’’ the judge said.

He remanded the case for another monitoring session on May 15.

The youth seemed confused when Judge O’Driscoll asked him about his handicap, while defence counsel Anselm Williams tried to explain it to him.

The youth replied, ‘‘Yeah, I hit it far.’’