Anzac Day terror suspects discussed stuffing kangaroo with bombs and 'setting loose on police'

An Australian teenage terror suspect discussed with a 15-year-old boy from Blackburn the possibility of stuffing a kangaroo with explosives to use on an attack on police officers, a court has heard. Sevdet Ramadan Besim, 19, is accused of plotting an Islamic State (Isis)-inspired attack during the Anzac Day ceremony last year.

Besim stands accused of planning with others, including the boy from Blackburn, of running down and beheading a police officer during on the day which commemorates Australian and New Zealand soldiers killed during the 1915 Gallipoli landings during World War One.

Melbourne Magistrates Court also heard how Besim and the British boy discussed in online conversations that a kangaroo could be packed with explosives, have an IS (Daesh) symbol painted on it and then "set loose on police".

Besim pleaded not guilty to four charges including engaging in communications and creating an electronic memo on his phone in preparation for a terrorist act. A further charge of conspiring to do an act in preparation or planning a terror act, which carries a maximum sentence of life, was dropped by prosecutors.

Australian Broadcasting Corp quoted a document detailing the kangaroo plot. It said "The conversation continues with Besim detailing what he did that day and they have a general discussion around animals and wildlife in Australia, including a suggestion that a kangaroo could be packed with C4 explosive, painted with the IS symbol and set loose on police officers."

Besim is also alleged to have said during online conversations how he is "ready to fight these dogs on there (sic) doorstep". He is alleged to have added: "I'd love to take out some cops. I was gonna meet with them then take some heads."

In October 2015, the 15-year-old from Blackburn became Britain's youngest ever convicted terrorist pleaded guilty at Manchester Crown Court to inciting terrorism by encouraging the murder of police officers during the Anzac Day ceremony.

Upon sentencing, Judge Justice Saunders told the boy it was "chilling" how one so young could have become so radicalised and how he would have "welcomed the notoriety" if his plan had succeeded.