Blake Nicholas Pender: Convicted terrorist approved for release despite previous breaches and threats
A judge has wished a convicted terrorist well as he granted him another go in the community despite the man breaching a previous supervision order.
Blake Nicholas Pender was on Wednesday approved for release under an extended supervision order on the condition that he consistently sees a psychologist he already has a “sound” relationship with.
During a brief court appearance, NSW Supreme Court judge Mark Ierace recommended the man - who threatened to cut off a police officer’s head and kill a magistrate - see the psychologist for at least the first six months of the order.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“I wish you well with the extended supervision order,” Justice Ierace told Pender, who appeared in court via a video link.
In June 2017, Pender threatened to kill police officers and stab them in the throat, saying, “The proudest thing a man can do is behead a cop.”
He later threatened to behead a magistrate who refused him bail after he shouted pro-Islamic State slogans in court.
In December 2019, he was jailed for admitting to terror-related knife possession and making the threats.
Pender was let out in October 2022 under an interim supervision order, only to be thrown back behind bars weeks later for breaching the conditions of his release.
As a result, he was sentenced to a further 22 months in prison.
The now-33-year-old hopes to redeem himself upon release by keeping busy with hobbies like learning Yiddish, rapping and practising chess after spending half a decade in prison for what he called “something stupid”, according to court documents.
Pender has believed in Christianity, Islam and most recently Judaism, telling corrective services officers his interest in religion stemmed from a need to belong.
To remain out of custody, he will have to abide by the terms of a three-year order that includes electronic monitoring of his movements.
The initial psychologist appointments have been recommended by Justice Ierace in the hope they will assist him in creating and maintaining better behavioural strategies.
In a recorded prison phone call, Pender said his time in custody was a “wake-up call” that opened his eyes to how bad the world could be.
After release, he has said he planned to rekindle family relationships, gain full-time employment and continue therapy and drug and alcohol treatment.
