THE teen “terrorist” who stabbed a bishop in Sydney yesterday had been released on good behaviour after a knife crime just months ago.
The 16-year-old was caught on live stream footage lunging at Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel before repeatedly stabbing him in church as witnesses screamed.
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Cops declared the horror stabbing – Sydney’s second knife rampage in as many days – a “terror act” yesterday.
It has since been revealed the teen was charged with knife possession and intent to commit an offence in November last year.
But after a court appearance in January he was released on a good behaviour bond, ABC reports.
New South Wales premier Chris Minns said the teen “wasn’t on a terrorism watch list” and was no longer under police observation when he attacked church-goers.
READ MORE ON SYDNEY STABBING
Disturbing footage showed the suspect being pinned to the ground and grinning manically after the attack on Monday evening.
At least four people were stabbed in the knife rampage, which was captured on YouTube live video.
The church leader fell to the ground and screams could be heard from the congregation as several people rushed forward to help.
Brave witnesses and a police officer tackled the suspected knifeman before he was locked inside the church as an angry mob gathered outside.
Up to 2,000 raging locals swarmed the roads around Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, demanding for him to come out.
Dramatic pictures showed cops lining up in defensive barriers outside the church as people clamoured for the arrested teen to appear.
Police reportedly used pepper spray on a few of those gathering outside, which caused some to vomit.
Two cops were said to have been injured in the melee.
Footage showed the bishop being rushed to an ambulance on a stretcher in front of the growing crowd outside.
Paramedics confirmed a man in his 50s was also taken to hospital with stab wounds.
Three others were treated at the scene – including a man in his 30s and two others with lacerations to the arm and hand.
The attack happened while Bishop Emmanuel was preaching on Monday afternoon – just days after six were stabbed to death at a mall in Sydney.
ARRESTED BEFORE
The unnamed teenager was charged with an array of offences last year after an incident at a train station in Sydney involving other teenage boys.
He was found with a flick knife and was charged with stalking and/or intimation as well as intent to commit an offence.
During a period on bail he made his last court appearance in January where his case was “proven” – but still dismissed on a “good behaviour bond”.
He was essentially on a form of probation until the case was dismissed and police supervision ended.
Cops said he was known to them, but not “well-known”.
Chris Minns said: “He wasn’t on a terrorism watch list.
“That’s important information [and] I understand the community concern.
“New South Wales Police are looking at all avenues particularly radicalisation.”
‘THEY WANTED BLOOD’
One witness to the protest mob, Dominic Cammareri, told Daily Mail Australia: “People were vomiting from the pepper spray and running into people’s homes to get water.
“If it wasn’t for social media, the police would have arrived before the people rioting and this wouldn’t have happened.
“They wanted blood. It was a great build-up of mayhem.”
Bricks and weapons were found scattered around near the church today.
Jaklin Bityou, who was inside the church with her husband when the teen attacked, said: “I’m still shaking, it was horrible, we just heard people screaming.
“We heard the bishop had been stabbed in his eye.”
Her teenage daughter Mary was watching the horrific live stream from home at the time.
She said: “He knew the service was being live-streamed and he waited for the camera to turn on before the (alleged) attack.
“I was just watching the livestream with my auntie and grandma and they let out the biggest screams.
“It’s terrifying, it’s something you wouldn’t expect.”
‘TERROR ATTACK’
NWS Police Commissioner Karen Webb said yesterday: “At 1.35am this morning, after consideration of all the material, I declared that it was a terrorist incident.
“We believe there are elements that are satisfied in terms of religious motivated extremism.”
Webb confirmed that a strike force has been established to investigate the incident.
New South Wales Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland added that the 16-year-old suspect was not a regular attendee at the church.
He revealed that investigators spoke to the suspect early on Tuesday morning.
Holland said: “He’s fairly upset and very distraught. He’s asked to speak to his parents at this stage and we’re making arrangements with his parents to make contact with him.
“Police are obviously making sure that that young person is safe and, and obviously with the action of the parishioners and obviously the local community, there was concerns for his safety.
“Hence, the decision was made to detain him in the in the church until later in the night.”
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